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Post by Ringulf on Aug 6, 2010 19:56:14 GMT -5
Tony bowed low, sweeping his hat to the floor in a wide arc and then stood up straight, replacing his hat and tucked his thumbs in his belt, his feet wide in a casual parade-rest stance.
“Greetings Your Excellency! I am Antonio De Cortina, son of Baron Fernando De Cortina of Toscano and Captain of – The Gray Lady.”
"Oh my!, how colorful and I thought I was going to have to address you as "Captain Razor" I suppose my sources may be slipping!" The dark figure chided.
“This is my mate, Ulrich McManus.” Tony waved his hand at Ulrich.
The Barron threw an almost imperceptible albeit dismissive nod toward the bodyguard.
“Now, what possible reason would the Royal Fleet of Gallica have in detaining me and my ship, or are you out here in international waters randomly stopping all ships that sail past?” Then, pushing the aggrieved merchant a little far, he added, “and you didn’t have to tear holes in my ship, you know. A simple parlay flag would have sufficed. I assume I shall be compensated for the unnecessary damages.”
There was an extremely long and uncomfortable pause, the silence was deafening as the Barron looked the two men over like a lion would look at two tasty gazelles.
The only sounds that could be heard were that of the tapping of the halyards against the masts, the creaking of the timber frames of the ship and the slapping of the waves against the hull of the sleek galley.
Some of the guards shifted their weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
Then as if from another room, a deep gurgling growl was heard by all in the cabin rising in volume, pitch and intensity till it was apparent that it was centralizing on the Barron himself. They all saw his lips and mustaches pull back from his teeth in a wolfish sneer, then just as every eye in the cabin was transfixed on that Rictus grin, The Barron burst into deep voluminous laughter, throwing back his head and pounding his fist upon the arm of his carved chair.
"AAhaa ha ha ha ha! Oh Pirate I think I am beginning to like you! You have stones! heee hee he, you stand before me in a situation, well you of all people are very well aware of your situation, and yet you have the bombasity to question my actions and even demand...demand recompense! OH! OHO ho ho oh... ah...well...well yes very good, heh, heh..yes well let us get, hmmm, let us get back to business shall we? Please! bring these men chairs!"
The Barron sat forward a bit in his chair and as the crew brought out two canvas folding chairs for Tony and Ulrich, his face drained of it's dark mirth and his face was replaced by a mask of emotionless dominance.
"You amuse me De Cortina so I will do you the courtesy of not toying with you or wasting your valuable time. Even if you were of noble blood in that greasy dung hole of a country you hail from, your piratical ways have nullified any favor or privilege your station may have afforded you amongst your peerage."
"Considering the ego I see presented before me I would truly not be surprised if you did not realize that I am not interested in you, the scurvy assemblage of wasted skin you call a crew, your lubberly little tub of a ship or it's cargo which I can only assume the greater percentage of is illicit and illegal in one form or another. There is only one item in your charge that has any interest to me whatsoever and you and I both know it is more accurate to call that a passenger rather than cargo. I will tell you Captain De Cortina that I know a little bit more about you than you think, but the sumation of that knowledge is the fact that the Gauls have a list of offenses and grievances on you and your ship as long as my swinging....arm!"
At this point seeing that his voice and ire had been rising somewhat, he reigned himself in and draped himself with the cool, calm control he was used to exhibiting in public.
"You may be interested to know that I am also a man of business, I could not care less how you turn your coin or where you sail, in fact I will I will let you in on a little secret,"
At this he fixed his predatory gaze on the two men once more and scrutinized how they were reacting to his bluntness
"I am in a rather good humor this morning!" He said in an almost conspiratorial whisper.
"The hunting has been good and the weather pleasant, and as such I am going to make this very easy for you!"
"You wish to know my mind as to why you are being detained? You wish to be compensated?"
"Well then, you and your aforementioned crew may take your little ship, its entire cargo complete and uninspected and go wherever you will! anywhere you wish, pick a compass course and follow it to your hearts content. Furthermore I have here two letters, one is a Letter of Pardon for you and your crew penned by the Gaulic Crown, the other a Letter of Marque, allowing and encouraging you to harass shipping of any country not in favor with Gaulica, so that you may pick up some spare change to go toward that "compensation". Of course being a lettered Gaulic Privateer also means you can affect repairs in any Gaulic port!"
Again he paused to see the reaction of his "guests".
"OK here it comes Antonio, here comes the hook, the part you have been waiting for!" Then in a flat dark voice deviod of it's previous jaunty teasing. "All you need to do is to bring Duncan aboard my vessel, with no violence or deception, I would inform you that Duncan and I are...acquainted so do not waste your time with impostors. Once the king is in my care the letters I spoke of will be given into your hands and you may depart unmolested to go were you will till I need you again."
"Ah, and my dear Captain, I will not insult your intelligence by even intimating that there is a second choice out there looming on the horizon. So... what do you say? Do we have a bargain?"
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Post by JezusBagels on Aug 7, 2010 12:47:05 GMT -5
"Welcome aboard the Dragone Noir gentlemen, as guests I would allow you to retain your weapons...normally....However you may not carry them in the audience with the Barron, so if I may have them now I assure you they will be well cared for and returned to you when you leave."
Ulrich tentatively surrendered his sword to the men and followed Tony into a dark curtained area. It took his eyes a moment to adjust and no sooner could he properly see than he wished he couldn't. Two women lay on the floor, and they may as well have been stark naked, the way they were dressed. It was disgusting, but he held his tongue still and watched events progress, trying to remember everything he could from the scarce fist fights he'd ever found himself a part of. There wasn't much to remember.
“This is my mate, Ulrich McManus.”
Ulrich nodded at the baron, but the man barely noticed him. Ulrich could have twirled in a circle and done a little dance and their captor probably wouldn't give him a second glance. A long silence ensued followed by a loud, high pitched whine that Ulrich couldn't seem to place. He cringed at the sound. This baron continued to draw out hostility in Ulrich as he treated the entire situation like a big joke.
He didn't sit when the chairs were brought. Rather, he stood behind it, his hands in a position where he could use the chair to bludgeon someone's skull if need be. He listened to the man's offer with skepticism. He wouldn't let them off that easy... Would he? Ulrich looked to Tony, wondering what he could be thinking. ______________________________
"Tony thought you might know something about it, that maybe she said something about rendezvousing with someone and didn't bother to tell Tony."
Wesley shook his head, lowering his axe at the sight of the archers. He hated archers. Too far away to kill with his axe. He wanted to smash their skulls in. "No. I take the king and guard the king. Then I get money and beer. This is my job," he grumbled, watching the archers. If only he had something he could throw at them. Then, something finally occurred to him. Enraged, Wesley half-yelled, "They take him and I do not get my money! This will not happen! They will die first!"
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 10, 2010 15:33:08 GMT -5
"Oh my!, how colorful and I thought I was going to have to address you as "Captain Razor" I suppose my sources may be slipping!" The dark figure chided.
Well, so much for subterfuge. It had been a dim hope that the man didn’t know his alternate identity. It seemed he was making all too good a name for himself these last few years. Still, he must have had some inside information that the Gray Lady was really the Krackatowan Razor. There were only about three people who were not currently on his ship that would know anything about the change. One of those he trusted completely, another had been bribed with a princely sum and a threat of dismemberment and he doubted that fool would talk, which left none other than the woman who hadn’t bothered to tell him his ‘cargo’ was to be the King of Araluen, taken by force. Had she made arrangements with this Baron for this little rendezvous? It wouldn’t surprise him any at this point.
"AAhaa ha ha ha ha! Oh Pirate I think I am beginning to like you! You have stones! heee hee he, you stand before me in a situation, well you of all people are very well aware of your situation, and yet you have the bombasity to question my actions and even demand...demand recompense! OH! OHO ho ho oh... ah...well...well yes very good, heh, heh..yes well let us get, hmmm, let us get back to business shall we? Please! bring these men chairs!"
Tony stood before the Baron, a pleasant smile on his face, though a look into his eyes could tell an observant person that he was intensely listening to every word and calculating his options and the smile on his lips was only on the surface. The Baron’s laughter was an eerie sound and made the hairs on the back of Tony’s neck stand up. Yes, he was all too well aware of his precarious position, but never being one to back down from anyone in his life, he played along, drawing on his bravado. Perhaps he could work some kind of deal with this Baron. Judging from his guards and the women at his feet, he suspected this man had his own secrets and perhaps – just maybe – he could use someone of Tony’s special skills. Perhaps a deal could be reached.
Tony sat down with a flourish and another bow to their ‘host’. “Thank you, Your Excellency. Most gracious of you.” He noted with approval that Ulrich remained standing and battle ready, though he was looking rather casual about that. Of course if a fight were to ensue, unless they managed to kill this Baron, their chances of survival, let alone escape, were about as likely as him being crowned the next king of Toscano.
"You amuse me De Cortina so I will do you the courtesy of not toying with you or wasting your valuable time. Even if you were of noble blood in that greasy dung hole of a country you hail from, your piratical ways have nullified any favor or privilege your station may have afforded you amongst your peerage."
Tony laughed at the insult to his ancestry and his country, having to agree with him about Toscano being largely a greasy dung hole. Still, he really was the son of a Baron and in normal circumstances that should afford him some consideration. Suspecting that the Baron was actually treating him much better than he treated most people (Tony glanced at the red-head again who was watching him with a ‘come hither’ look on her face). He decided to be amicable and said, “Ah, well, Sir, I really am the son of a Baron, but I can’t argue with you about the state of my country, but why argue over semantics? I am sure you have something else on your mind than my parentage.” Tony already knew where this conversation was headed and he was thinking furiously on how he could extricate himself from it and remain intact.
"Considering the ego I see presented before me I would truly not be surprised if you did not realize that I am not interested in you, the scurvy assemblage of wasted skin you call a crew, your lubberly little tub of a ship or it's cargo which I can only assume the greater percentage of is illicit and illegal in one form or another.”
Tony’s suspicions were about to be confirmed. This man knew what, or more specifically, who Tony was transporting and there seemed to be only one way he could know all this information. Once again Tony fumed inwardly, ‘she would pay.’
"There is only one item in your charge that has any interest to me whatsoever and you and I both know it is more accurate to call that a passenger rather than cargo. I will tell you Captain De Cortina that I know a little bit more about you than you think, but the sumation of that knowledge is the fact that the Gauls have a list of offenses and grievances on you and your ship as long as my swinging....arm!"
Tony grinned broadly at that statement and puffed himself up with pride. “Good to know they are on top of things here in Gallica.” He rumbled with laughter. Though he didn’t like Gallica and he often ran into trouble in her waters, the ineffectiveness of their monarchy didn’t strike much fear into him – until today anyway. Never before had the Gallican authorities taken such an interest in him. Never had they sent more than one frigate or flagship against him. Not until this Baron came sailing up on him out of nowhere with three heavily armed war ships. Tony suspected this was a far more personal mission for this Baron that it was ‘official’ business. ‘Good,’ he thought, ‘the man has an agenda. I can work with that.’
"You may be interested to know that I am also a man of business, I could not care less how you turn your coin or where you sail, in fact I will I will let you in on a little secret,"
At this he fixed his predatory gaze on the two men once more and scrutinized how they were reacting to his bluntness
"I am in a rather good humor this morning!" He said in an almost conspiratorial whisper.
"The hunting has been good and the weather pleasant, and as such I am going to make this very easy for you!"
"You wish to know my mind as to why you are being detained? You wish to be compensated?"
Tony knew already and his heart was sinking with each word out of the Baron’s mouth. He knew what the Baron wanted. The only thing that remained was what else the Baron would take to get it.
"Well then, you and your aforementioned crew may take your little ship, its entire cargo complete and uninspected and go wherever you will! anywhere you wish, pick a compass course and follow it to your hearts content. Furthermore I have here two letters, one is a Letter of Pardon for you and your crew penned by the Gaulic Crown, the other a Letter of Marque, allowing and encouraging you to harass shipping of any country not in favor with Gaulica, so that you may pick up some spare change to go toward that "compensation". Of course being a lettered Gaulic Privateer also means you can affect repairs in any Gaulic port!"
Tony sat back and stroked his chin thoughtfully, studying the Baron’s face. The man was an expert liar, better than Tony, and used to getting his way. Tony had no doubt he would say anything to get what he wanted and he sounded very convincing about it. The first thing Tony’s suspicious mind jogged up was that the Baron would fire his ship as soon as the King was off-loaded. The second was that the letters were likely to be fake.
Still, if the Baron were actually making a deal in good faith, the benefits could potentially make more profit than turning over the King at his original destination. He nodded at the Baron to continue, letting him know he was intrigued by the offer.
"OK here it comes Antonio, here comes the hook, the part you have been waiting for!" Then in a flat dark voice devoid of it's previous jaunty teasing. "All you need to do is to bring Duncan aboard my vessel, with no violence or deception, I would inform you that Duncan and I are...acquainted so do not waste your time with impostors. Once the king is in my care the letters I spoke of will be given into your hands and you may depart unmolested to go were you will till I need you again."
Tony stood up and paced back and then forth in front of the chairs placed for he and Ulrich, drumming his fingers on his chin. “Letter of Marque, you say? Signed by the King of Gallica? A letter of pardon too? How interesting!” he moved back to his chair and sat back down on it, then looked the Baron square in the eye, all assemblage of joviality gone.
“I will, of course, need to see these letters prior to handing over my passenger to determine their validity. I am sure you understand. One who lives and moves in the company I keep – well- let’s just say trust is not a commodity in my line of work.” Tony smiled coldly at the Baron.
“There are also some- ah… logistical issues… to iron out – should I agree to hand over such valuable cargo. But before we discuss that, might I enquire as to your interest in my passenger? I would prefer not to see any harm bestowed upon his Majesty – for purely personal reasons – as I am sure you can comprehend.”
Tony had grown rather fond of Duncan during the voyage in their daily conversations and thought that he may have even convinced the King that he had not been a known participant in his kidnapping. Aside from that, should the King not be returned to Araulen, or be returned dead or maimed, Tony didn’t think there were enough ports in the world to hide from the revenge the Ranger Corps was sure to unleash upon him once they found his part in plot out. His life wouldn’t be worth a plug nickel and the advantage of porting anywhere in Gallica would not offset that risk.
"Ah, and my dear Captain, I will not insult your intelligence by even intimating that there is a second choice out there looming on the horizon. So... what do you say? Do we have a bargain?"
“Oh there are always, choices, My Dear Baron. The only difference is the profit to be gained or lost between those choices.” Tony needed some time to weigh the situation and possibly find out from Duncan what he knew about this Baron.
“Of course your proposal is most interesting and quite generous. I will need a few minutes to mull this over and some assurances that you won’t just fire my ship as soon as the King is aboard yours, however. Though the word of a Baron is normally quite adequate, in this case some physical sign of good faith is in order.” Tony hadn’t actually called the Baron a liar to his face, but he was skirting a very fine line of etiquette nevertheless. He smiled apologetically at Rathbone. “You understand, of course.”
He had only one card to play, as far as he could tell, and it was a very weak one, for all the Baron had to do was kill him and Ulrich and board his ship, kill his crew and take what and who they wanted. His only option was to point out his value to the Gallican Baron.
“Perhaps we could establish a business relationship.” Tony suggested. “I am sure you have need of ships that can deliver ‘special’ cargo pretty much anywhere this side of Aslavia. I am normally quite adept at avoiding imperial entanglements – present situation excepted of course.” He tipped his hat to the Baron.
“I am sure that I could be a valuable asset in future business arrangements. Perhaps…oh… six months of free shipping in exchange for your guarantee that you will leave my ship, crew and cargo intact, along with myself, of course. A token of your sincerity could possibly be calling off your two war ships out there and backing them off the Razor, out of arrow range.” Tony smiled warmly at the Baron this time. “I assure you that I can make it worth your while.”
Tony didn’t like the idea of being indebted to this man, but the possibility of getting out of his current situation was tempting enough to put up with the man for a few months. If the Baron’s offer was genuine, it would more than be worth it. He did have some qualms about turning over Duncan, but there was one other card he could play to help insure the King’s safety. Now the question was if the Baron would go for it.
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Post by Ringulf on Aug 10, 2010 17:08:23 GMT -5
I will, of course, need to see these letters prior to handing over my passenger to determine their validity. I am sure you understand. One who lives and moves in the company I keep – well- let’s just say trust is not a commodity in my line of work.” Tony smiled coldly at the Baron.
"Of course my good captain you do not know me and must have assurances of my word. The documents I spoke of are right beside me and I will allow you to inspect them before leaving this ship, but I am curious....do you feel that I would go through all this to in some way...decieve you? With the evident amount of firepower I have at my disposal, killing you and your crew would be, and still can be much easier than some elaborate rouse, no?... but then there is the kings safety to consider isn't there? The other issue is with the obvious wealth also at my disposal do you think it most probable that I could afford a better forger than your skills might be able to detect? Hmmm I believe so, no disrespect to your particular...skills of course. I guess you have to realize then, that I would rather keep you alive for whatever reason, than have you dead. That and only that should be logical enough to convince you of my sincerity. Captain De Cortina, you are or could be an asset to me, but please understand that you are not my first priority here."
“There are also some- ah… logistical issues… to iron out – should I agree to hand over such valuable cargo. But before we discuss that, might I inquire as to your interest in my passenger? I would prefer not to see any harm bestowed upon his Majesty – for purely personal reasons – as I am sure you can comprehend.”
"My interests for His Majesty, are my own and I do not normally find it necessary to discuss my reasoning with people, most especially yourself, however let me once again give you assurance by way of cold, cruel logic, since my word seems not to be enough to sway you. As I said I am a businessman, as well as nobility, which in its essence is merely the "business" of government. I do not wish to harm the King in any way, in fact quite the opposite, a dead king will not help my position, nor will it please my superiors...very bad for business as you might suspect.
No my Friend, your king will be shown every respect and be availed of every comfort that a wealthy nation could afford him. He will feel as though he has been rescued from the clutches of chaotic uncivilized pirates and kidnappers, (no offense intended) by an official noble agent of a neighboring kingdom, one who is governed by law and diplomacy. Any real danger to Duncan, would be of a political nature rather than a physical one, and of course, Antonio, what is that to men like us? I do not rule nations, my title is a reward for winning battles, I am but a servant and not in a position to concern myself with such things."
“Oh there are always, choices, My Dear Baron. The only difference is the profit to be gained or lost between those choices.”
"It is conveinient, even expedient for one to be alive to appreciate that profit don't you think? Your only choice at this juncture is weather or not you wish to see another sunrise and weather you think you owe it to your crew to afford them the same benefit!" The Barron said coldly.
“Of course your proposal is most interesting and quite generous. I will need a few minutes to mull this over and some assurances that you won’t just fire my ship as soon as the King is aboard yours, however. Though the word of a Baron is normally quite adequate, in this case some physical sign of good faith is in order.” Tony hadn’t actually called the Baron a liar to his face, but he was skirting a very fine line of etiquette nevertheless. He smiled apologetically at Rathbone. “You understand, of course.”
"Quite" The Barron said with a bit of a sneer.
“Perhaps we could establish a business relationship.” Tony suggested. “I am sure you have need of ships that can deliver ‘special’ cargo pretty much anywhere this side of Aslavia. I am normally quite adept at avoiding imperial entanglements – present situation excepted of course.” He tipped his hat to the Baron.
The Barron gave a graceful nod in mock homage and civility to the pirate who was in essence insulting his nobility, but was also speaking the language of the deal to a fellow businessman. Rathbone enjoyed the verbal fencing and found the measuring of De Cortina's abilities fundamental to his being able to utilize him in the future, so he put it back in Tony's hands.
“I am sure that I could be a valuable asset in future business arrangements. Perhaps…oh… six months of free shipping in exchange for your guarantee that you will leave my ship, crew and cargo intact, along with myself, of course. A token of your sincerity could possibly be calling off your two war ships out there and backing them off the Razor, out of arrow range.” Tony smiled warmly at the Baron this time. “I assure you that I can make it worth your while.”
The Barron started once again to chuckle and he put his head down and rubbed foreheadhead with one hand.
"Ah Antonio! what ever are we going to do with you? That is a generous offer my freind but entirely unnecessary, I already have gaged your worth to me and that, and only that is the reason you still breath. I will not bargain away an obvious position of security as it is not just our lives that hang in balance here! I will give you your lives as a token of my sincerity and I will still offer you all that I did before. I will not now nor will I ever in the future, give you any more of a token than the mere practicality of the situation and your own common sense to recognize it. Let us just call it the funny, little way I have of keeping things balanced and those in my employ...sufficiantly motivated."
The Barron gave a piercing and somewhat threatening look at the pirate to see if he had picked up his meaning.
"I have given you my offer and my word, By reputation, it is I who should be questioning your honesty De Cortina, but our "understanding" is not based on honesty, or respect, just simple business sense.
Peruse the documents.
Step out onto the deck so your people can see you still live.
Make your decision and do so in the next 10 minutes.
The day is wasting away and I am a very busy man. I have places to go, people to kill, and no time to do it in. Even my patience has it's limits!"
With that he motioned to the red headed concubine,
"Maureena, my dear, show our guests the documents. Guards, after they are satisfied, show them to the quarterdeck. They have 10 minutes. If they do more than wave...shoot them."
He then rose from the seat gave a curt bow.
"Gentleman." he said to Tony and Ullrich and disappeared through the back curtain behind the carved seat.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 19, 2010 13:09:10 GMT -5
“…do you feel that I would go through all this to in some way...deceive you? With the evident amount of firepower I have at my disposal, killing you and your crew would be, and still can be much easier than some elaborate rouse, no?...” The Baron said.
Tony conceded the point, but was still suspicious none-the-less as was his nature.
“The other issue is with the obvious wealth also at my disposal do you think it most probable that I could afford a better forger than your skills might be able to detect? Hmmm I believe so, no disrespect to your particular...skills of course.”
Tony was going to let that comment slide, not letting the Baron know just how good his skills at forgery were. The Baron may have a great deal of wealth at his disposal, but forged documents were one of Tony’s bread and butter businesses. He liked to think that those he created were good enough to pass all but the most adept forgers out there. He could be wrong, though.
“I do not wish to harm the King in any way, in fact quite the opposite, a dead king will not help my position, nor will it please my superiors...very bad for business as you might suspect.”
Tony considered that for a moment and decided that it made sense, unless there was a personal vendetta involved, having a live King as a hostage would be far more lucrative than trying to negotiate a ransom for a dead King. Tony didn’t like the implications of the King feeling as if he was being rescued, but he would deal with those repercussions on another day as they arose.
"It is convenient, even expedient for one to be alive to appreciate that profit don't you think? Your only choice at this juncture is weather or not you wish to see another sunrise and weather you think you owe it to your crew to afford them the same benefit!" The Barron said coldly.
Tony didn’t flinch under the Baron’s cold gaze, his own face impassive. There was even a hint of defiance in his eyes, if one was adept enough to detect it. For a moment Tony ran through the possibilities of fighting this Baron anyway. The profit loss from handing over the King was going to be considerable. However there was his other cargo to consider and a couple of those clients were not ones to have as enemies. Was the woman he had made the deal with of the same ilk? Tony thought she might be. She certainly had a cold, ruthless side under her delightfully soft and curvy form. But really, he didn’t have much of a choice.
"Maureena, my dear, show our guests the documents.
Guards, after they are satisfied, show them to the quarterdeck. They have 10 minutes. If they do more than wave...shoot them."
He then rose from the seat gave a curt bow.
"Gentleman." he said to Tony and Ullrich and disappeared through the back curtain behind the carved seat.
Tony bowed his head as the Baron rose and watched him exit behind the curtain, figuring he would still be watching to see the pirate’s reaction. Tony smiled at the scantily clad woman as she stood and handed him two documents. Tony moved closer to a candle and examined the documents for a couple of minutes, aware that time was passing swiftly. He had to admit that they looked genuine and that was good enough for him. Even if they were not actually genuine, they looked real enough to fool most any Gallican official that was likely to hassle him in the future. He handed the documents back to the voluptuous woman, his fingertips lingering on the back of her hand as he passed her the documents. “Thank you, My Dear!” he winked at her. Then he turned and made his way up on deck.
He was thinking furiously, his mind already made up on his immediate course of action, on how he could get the King back once he was in this Baron’s clutches. The odds were definitely against it, but then he had gone up against impossible odds before and come out on top. He pulled Ulrich aside, away from the Baron’s men and asked very softly, “You see any way out of this short of handed our passenger over?”
“I would prefer to keep my head and the rest of my crew and cargo intact. Though I don’t trust this Baron, I have to admit he has a point. Why spare our lives at first when he could just kill us and take all he wants?” Tony mused softly. “I was thinking we could send Wesley over to guard the King, if he is willing. At least then there would be some assurances of the King’s health.” He didn’t want to say anything about trying to get the King back out of the Baron’s clutches. He didn’t really hold out much hope that they would be able to anyway.
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Post by JezusBagels on Aug 30, 2010 7:15:04 GMT -5
“You see any way out of this short of handed our passenger over?”
Ulrich scanned the deck and found his rapier on top of a crate barely ten paces away. Much to his discontent however, one of the sailors saw him taking notice and winked at him, plunging a knife into the crate next to the sword for what Ulrich could only interpret as 'dramatic effect.' He knew there wasn't much of a fight that he and Tony could put up alone.
'I was thinking we could send Wesley over to guard the King, if he is willing. At least then there would be some assurances of the King’s health.”
Ulrich furrowed his brow and shook his head. "I've seen Wesley's type before," he argued quietly. "He couldn't care less about the King or any of us. It's all about the pay." His eyes drifted to the Razor and he saw Wesley standing on the deck, that giant axe of his in hand. The mercenary's gargantuan features could be seen without much trouble, even from this distance. He didn't seem too happy about this whole situation.
He turned back to Tony and said, "We can't control him. If these people go near the King, he'll rip them apart..." Then Ulrich had to laugh a little; he was so dumbfounded that it hadn't been obvious before. He voiced the thought to Tony, pulling his employer close to ensure no one else could hear it. "Tell the Barron about Wesley. Tell him he'll need to send over a dozen men to safely secure the King. I'll go back with them. We can tell them that I can control him, so I have to go back as well. We all go beneath the deck, where Wesley and I knock out all the men and replace them with ours. We come back over with the King and by the time the Barron notices the switch, we'll have subdued the remaining crew and taken control of the ship... What do you think?"
Ulrich wasn't so confident in the plan and he was sure it showed on his face. There was always the chance that Wesley did rip the men apart, in which case uniforms covered in blood and guts would hardly fool the Barron, or he wouldn't let Ulrich return with the sailors, and if that happened, the Razor's crew would have no way of knowing what the plan was. It all depended on both the Barron and Wesley trusting him just enough to go along with it.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 9, 2010 12:51:10 GMT -5
Tony listened to Ulrich as he waved to Mortimer across the water to indicate everything was fine to his first mate. He hoped Mort could see that he held up his first two fingers and his pinky, keeping his ring finger folded. That was a private signal between him and Mort that he was in jeopardy, but not to try anything yet as it was too dangerous.
"I've seen Wesley's type before," he argued quietly. "He couldn't care less about the King or any of us. It's all about the pay." Ulrich whispered. Tony thought about that for a moment and a glimmer of a plan began to form. "We can't control him. If these people go near the King, he'll rip them apart..." Ulrich continued. "Tell the Barron about Wesley. Tell him he'll need to send over a dozen men to safely secure the King. I'll go back with them. We can tell them that I can control him, so I have to go back as well. We all go beneath the deck, where Wesley and I knock out all the men and replace them with ours. We come back over with the King and by the time the Barron notices the switch, we'll have subdued the remaining crew and taken control of the ship... What do you think?"
Tony considered the plan, his brow furrowed as he looked around the ship. The Baron’s men wore high quality weapons, armor and clothing. Chances were they were highly skilled military men. They would likely make quick work of Tony’s crew if it came down to hand to hand fighting. Of course all the Baron had to do in his current position is take his flagship under oar and ram it into the Razor, gutting her under the water line and she would sink so fast the crew would be lucky to bail out and swim clear in time. And with her would go his cargo. All of his cargo. Then even if he survived, his life wouldn’t be worth a wooden coin. Though the King was important, Tony had a greater worry with his other special cargo that no one knew about. It could not fall into this Baron’s hands, nor could he loose it at the bottom of the sea and live to tell the tale.
Could Ulrich and Wesley take on a dozen of these men themselves? Burn would probably be there to help, and there might be a couple of others below decks still, but it would take some time. There would be sounds of battle too that would carry across the still water since the ocean was barely rippling due to the lack of wind in the early dawn hour. The Baron would most likely be alerted to the fact his men were being attacked.
Would he even send Ulrich back with a dozen of his men? Tony thought it rather unlikely. From here they could probably just shoot Wesley full of arrows from the crossbows being trained on him right now. There would be no need to board the Razor.
Tony shook his head, “no… a good plan under other circumstances, but I think fighting our way out of this is not an option. We would lose most of the crew and likely the ship herself if we try to fight I think.” Tony knew his time was running out. “But maybe I can get you back aboard The Razor. You can fill in Mort and if the Baron doesn’t turn me loose after the exchange, you two can cook up a plan to rescue us.” Tony looked around barely breathing that last part and hoping he wasn’t overheard. He noticed the Baron’s men were getting a bit antsy and making moves toward hurrying him up a bit. “Look, if I can get you back over there, tell Wesley that I will pay him double what our Lady friend offered him if he will accompany the King and guard him. Tell Mort to pay him right now. Mort has the keys to the coffers and can also send over a couple of barrels of that good Scotti beer we have in the hold for Wesley. Then tell him that the Baron is going to take the King to the rendezvous that our Lady friend set up and he is to see the King safely arrives there and he will be paid the amount she promised him.”
Tony thought it was a rather good plan in handling Wesley. He should be amenable to the plan. He would potentially be paid triple the original price and the amount would not be too detrimental to Tony if he got away with this unscathed.
He suspected that the King would not be harmed, as the Baron had pointed out; a dead king would not get him any ransom money and it didn’t appear if there were any personal vendetta on the Baron’s part, so though Tony did feel bad about handing over the King, he didn’t feel bad enough to lose his ship, his crew or his life over it. The King was a crafty devil and would likely come out of this in one piece and never-the-worse for the ware. As for the Lady, he would deal with her when the time came. For all he knew this was part of her plan all along.
His mind made up, he signaled to the man who seemed to be in charge of him and Ulrich at the moment. “Look, tell your Lord that I need to send Ulrich here back over to my ship. You see that big gargantuan hulk of a man on the deck that is looking rather agitated?” The man squinted and nodded, seemingly bored. “Well, he is the bodyguard for my ‘cargo’ and he is not going to just let us hand over the ‘cargo’ without putting up one hell of a fight. Ulrich here has a pretty good rapport with him and is about the only one of my crew besides myself that has much of a chance of controlling him.” Tony couldn’t tell if the man was buying this or not. “If you send Ulrich back over, he can fetch the ‘cargo’ and calm that giant down and no one will have to lose any blood over this. Of course I would remain here as your ‘guest’ until the Baron is satisfied that the ‘cargo’ is in his possession.”
Tony turned to Ulrich and said loud enough for their guards to hear, “Oh, and send over a big barrel of that Hybernian whiskey for the Baron’s men and tell Mort to send over that bottle of Cognac from my private stock – the good stuff.” Tony figured he might as well be hospitable. He may very well have future dealings with this Baron and liquor had always served to smooth over ruffled feathers in his past experiences.
He turned back to the man guarding him, “Ulrich here is ready to return to my ship now and fetch the ‘cargo’ for your Baron.” He smiled warmly at the man, hoping the possibility of some fine whiskey on his off duty time would sway him to allow Ulrich to return to the Razor.
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 9, 2010 13:14:22 GMT -5
“Look, if I can get you back over there, tell Wesley that I will pay him double what our Lady friend offered him if he will accompany the King and guard him. Tell Mort to pay him right now. Mort has the keys to the coffers and can also send over a couple of barrels of that good Scotti beer we have in the hold for Wesley. Then tell him that the Baron is going to take the King to the rendezvous that our Lady friend set up and he is to see the King safely arrives there and he will be paid the amount she promised him.”
Ulrich sighed in defeat. He didn't like the idea of going down without a fight, but there wasn't much use in arguing with Tony. He nodded in silent agreement and listened with a bit of pride as his captain coaxed the men into taking their side on the matter. He had to bite his tongue to keep from smiling at the obvious bribery--not that their guard seemed to notice that they were letting him eavesdrop now. All that remained was for the Baron to agree to it.
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 9, 2010 14:01:34 GMT -5
“Look, tell your Lord that I need to send Ulrich here back over to my ship. You see that big gargantuan hulk of a man on the deck that is looking rather agitated?” The man squinted and nodded, seemingly bored. “Well, he is the bodyguard for my ‘cargo’ and he is not going to just let us hand over the ‘cargo’ without putting up one hell of a fight. Ulrich here has a pretty good rapport with him and is about the only one of my crew besides myself that has much of a chance of controlling him.” Tony couldn’t tell if the man was buying this or not. “If you send Ulrich back over, he can fetch the ‘cargo’ and calm that giant down and no one will have to lose any blood over this. Of course I would remain here as your ‘guest’ until the Baron is satisfied that the ‘cargo’ is in his possession.” “Oh, and send over a big barrel of that Hybernian whiskey for the Baron’s men and tell Mort to send over that bottle of Cognac from my private stock – the good stuff.” “Ulrich here is ready to return to my ship now and fetch the ‘cargo’ for your Baron.” He smiled warmly at the man, hoping the possibility of some fine whiskey on his off duty time would sway him to allow Ulrich to return to the Razor.
The guard gave a shrewd look at the two pirates. As guards and sailors go, very few of them would be considered "deep thinkers", however the Baron's elite guard were not fools.
"I will inform His Excellency that you have made your descision I am sure he will wish to see you both before either of you return to your ship. You will follow me." the guardsman said with the authority of one with very clear amd explicit orders.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 10, 2010 11:52:58 GMT -5
Tony glanced at Ulrich and shrugged. He hadn’t really figured the guard would be able to just let Ulrich go without consulting the Baron first, but he had hoped. Reluctantly he followed the guard back to the Baron’s presence, giving one last look at his ship across the gentle sea and thinking that it was a pity that what might be his last look at her was one of her trussed up like a captured whale stuck full of harpoons. With the guard’s back turned, Tony waved a closed fist at Mort, the sign for ‘hold on’. Hopefully his first mate wouldn’t try anything rash.
Putting on his best game face, Tony entered the presence of the Baron with an air of confidence again, of a man who has made up his mind and has no second thoughts about his decision. He was a businessman first and foremost after all and, his personal qualms aside, the King was a commodity. Besides, it wasn’t over until the fat lady sings, as they are fond of saying in his homeland and he didn’t hear any fat ladies singing right now.
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 11, 2010 22:13:10 GMT -5
The room was the same as it was when they had left it a few short minutes ago but now the Baron was standing on what looked to be a small platform where his chair had been. The same assemblage of scantily clad women sat and laid in front of him but the biggest change was the transformation that occured in the Barron himself.
Over a dark burgundy tunic and balck leather gambeson he was fully armored!
His long muscular limbs were covered by ornately worked vambraces, elbow cops and rembraces that lead up to pauldrons equally decorated with the two headed eagle picked out in gold guilding on shiny steel. On his chest was a fine light curaisse and gorgette that attached at the waist to a war skirt of black chainmail that was surrounded by hip guards and tassets with the eagle arms upon them. the armor was finely made but one could see it was not just decorative, it was well fit, light and ready for combat should it have come to it and the long velvetine burgundy cape with its gold trim set the ensemble off royaly. It was most likely worth more than the Krakatoin Razor and when the pair was escorted in the Baron turmed slamming down a very deadly looking knights sword into the scabbard on his hip.
"So gentleman, Have we made our descisions? Are we to be brothers in arms and have a royal farewell and greeting? And let you return to a life of limitless ritches on the high seas?"...
He looked to them with a smile but the intensity in his eyes was in complete earnest.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 23, 2010 9:08:30 GMT -5
Tony wasn’t happy with the situation, but if the Baron upheld his end of the deal, he could live with it. He noted the expensive armor, but chose to ignore its significance, knowing that one reason the Baron had donned it was to make a point that he was just as prepared to do battle as to negotiate. The subtle hint was not lost on Tony, but he preferred not to show it or make a big deal of it, so he ignored the change of clothing and put on his best game face – a big toothy grin like he was very happy with the deal. His eyes couldn’t help straying to the woman kneeling on his right side, Maureena, one more time though as he entered. She was indeed a beauty.
“We have indeed reached a decision, Your Excellency!” Tony said with a flourish and a bow, winking to the girl covertly. “With your permission, I would like to send Ulrich back to my ship to expedite the transfer of my “guest” and his bodyguard here to your ship.” Here he looked nervously at Ulrich for a moment, a question on his face, still playing the part, then shrugged and said conspiratorially, “Look, the King came on board with a giant of a man as his body guard. The man’s name is Wesley. He was hired by my employer to look after the King. He is a bit of a simpleton, but I sense he could be a devastating combatant. I have chosen to deal with him by plying him with food and beer and that seems to keep him happy as long as no one messes with the King.” Glancing from the Baron to Ulrich Tony continued, fixing his eyes back on the Baron.
“Ulrich and I have been the only ones able to calm him down when he has become agitated, which he certainly is right now as far as I could tell from that brief glimpse of him on deck. He is not going to let us just remove the King without a grand fight unless he has the proper incentive. Let me send Ulrich over to give him the pay he was going to receive upon our arrival at our original destination and I think he should comply without a fight.” Tony looked thoughtful for a moment. “Of course you could just kill him, but I am thinking a man of your – caliber – could quite likely find this giant useful in the future, so why waste a potential asset?”
Tony wasn’t sure what ties Wesley had to his employer, but he figured it would be in his best interest to keep the man alive if at all possible and the Baron did seem to be fairly reasonable – to a point.
“I am sure with a bit of persuasion we can avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. You will have the King and then I can return to my ship and we will both be on our merry way.” Tony smiled back at the Baron, waiting for his decision nonchalantly, trying to disguise the nervousness he really felt. Would the Baron let Ulrich go back? Would he release Tony’s ship once he had the King in his clutches, or would he just rip out the Razor’s belly and leave them all to die a cold, hard death in the bitter sea? Tony hoped the Baron was a man of his word as he appeared to be on the surface. He suspected the Baron was capable of great treachery or cruelty, but figured it would only come into play if it could benefit the man in some way. Perhaps he was reading the Baron wrong though, but he really didn’t have much of a choice.
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Post by Ringulf on Sept 27, 2010 0:49:08 GMT -5
“Look, the King came on board with a giant of a man as his body guard. The man’s name is Wesley. He was hired by my employer to look after the King. He is a bit of a simpleton, but I sense he could be a devastating combatant. I have chosen to deal with him by plying him with food and beer and that seems to keep him happy as long as no one messes with the King.”
“Ulrich and I have been the only ones able to calm him down when he has become agitated, which he certainly is right now as far as I could tell from that brief glimpse of him on deck. He is not going to let us just remove the King without a grand fight unless he has the proper incentive. Let me send Ulrich over to give him the pay he was going to receive upon our arrival at our original destination and I think he should comply without a fight.” Tony looked thoughtful for a moment. “Of course you could just kill him, but I am thinking a man of your – caliber – could quite likely find this giant useful in the future, so why waste a potential asset?”
“I am sure with a bit of persuasion we can avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. You will have the King and then I can return to my ship and we will both be on our merry way.”
"You both show good sense, Antonio you are a natural leader and very quick witted under pressure, this is very useful to a man like myself and will be rewarded given the chance. And you Ulrich, yes I do know your name and just because I have not addressed you, does not mean I have not been carefully studying your every move. You have shown exemplary restraint, loyalty and wisdom in reinforcing and guarding your Captain, there were a number of moments that I wondered if I would have to have you killed as I saw the fire smoldering behind your eyes! Bravo to you both!" he turned from them as he lazily clapped his hands then took a stance on the platform and turned back to them.
"This giant, I have seen him on deck, he is a truly impressive specimen and you are correct Antonio I never like to waste what can be utilized, but how do you propose to persuade this gargantuan to peacefully come aboard my ship? Surely beer and money is not enough to subdue such a Colossus or I would have done so already? Wait I have an idea," He looked rather gleeful as he reached down toward the lovely girl and she handed him a black velvet bag. "Antonio, I would be delighted if you would remain as my guest until our matter of business is concluded we can break our fast and you can enjoy our company, Ulrich my stalwart warrior you may follow your captains instructions to the letter with one exception, You will kindly give our Friend Wesley this bag and tell him that "The lady wishes him to open it." Do you understand?"
Afterward you will prepare for Wesley and his majesty to be brought aboard my ship. By then your captain will have supped and dined and we will have exchanged paperwork and he will be ready to once again lead you to roving the Gualic Main."
"Oh and just to assuage all of your trusting natures," and at this he opened the black pouch and pulled from it a very short length of dyed brown rope and shook the bag upside down. then he placed it back and cinched the strings again to close the pouch. "You see no poisonous adders or mysterious powders, That is not really my style, it is totally safe, so just follow your orders. The Baron exclaimed as he lightly tossed the pouch to Ulrich.
"Maureena please take Captain De Cortina to the afterdeck I believe the steward has spread brunch for us there, He looks a bit tense you may also relax him until I arrive with a massage if he so wishes."
"Alright, hippity hop Ulrich! There is work to be done, His Majesty is waiting and I would like to be on my way before the second coming!"
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 27, 2010 14:53:11 GMT -5
Alright, hippity hop Ulrich! There is work to be done, His Majesty is waiting and I would like to be on my way before the second coming!"
Ulrich was about to protest with something alone the lines of 'You expect to bribe him with a bit of string?' but he only got out the word "You-" before two of the Barron's guards shoved him out of the enclosed area, slapped him in the chest with his rapier and ushered him into a dingy to return him to The Razor. He barely got to exchange looks with Tony before he was hurried away, black bag in hand. ______________________________
Wesley smiled as he saw Ulrich returning. He shoved one of the ship hands in the ribs and joked, "I'll bet they killed the other one." His audience didn't find it nearly as entertaining. The dingy reached the ship and Ulrich scaled the side, using Wesley's hand to hoist himself over the rail. Wesley stamped his foot expectantly. "Did anyone die? Do we get to kill anyone?" Wesley never understand why people didn't find his remarks as fascinating as he did. Perhaps they were all just too stupid to understand good humor.
"Actually," the little man began, "We struck up a deal and your employment, as well as our 'cargo,' is changing hands. I was told to give you this as payment." Ulrich lifted a small black bag and set it within the confines of Wesley's giant palm. ______________________________
Ulrich watched with muffled interest as the hulk of a man tenderly loosened the straps on the pouch and removed the little rope, holding it close to his face and examining it for a moment. Ulrich raised an impatient brow, expecting that every second this took was another second that they could kill Tony and turn the entire deal around on them.
Wesley smirked. "Okay," he said calmly.
'What?" Ulrich asked, more than a little confused.
"I said, 'Okay.' I will bring the king over there to that ship. I will go get him now." And with that, Wesley descended into the hull of the boat to retrieve the captured king. When he returned, he had the man slung over his shoulder with hands and feet bound.
"Is that really necessary?" Ulrich asked as they dropped down into the dingy to return to the Barron.
"Never risk valuable cargo," he replied, laughing. Then the man the Barron sent with Ulrich started paddling and they were on their way.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 30, 2010 12:37:19 GMT -5
"You both show good sense, Antonio you are a natural leader and very quick witted under pressure, this is very useful to a man like myself and will be rewarded given the chance.”
Tony thought that the Baron’s mood had altered slightly. He was almost gloating or perhaps it was more like glee at the prospect that his plan was working perfectly. Tony suppressed a scowl; his plan probably was, to Tony’s detriment.
“…And you Ulrich, yes I do know your name and just because I have not addressed you, does not mean I have not been carefully studying your every move. You have shown exemplary restraint, loyalty and wisdom in reinforcing and guarding your Captain,…”
Tony had to agree with the Baron’s assessment of Ulrich and gave his shipmate an approving smile. He knew Ulrich didn’t need such praise and doubted that he would set much stock in it since it was coming from the Baron. However, what the Baron said was true, and Tony was grateful that he had such good men in his crew.
"Antonio, I would be delighted if you would remain as my guest until our matter of business is concluded we can break our fast and you can enjoy our company, Ulrich my stalwart warrior you may follow your captains instructions to the letter with one exception, You will kindly give our Friend Wesley this bag and tell him that "The lady wishes him to open it." Do you understand?"
Tony nodded. What choice did he have, really? He watched with interest as the Baron opened the black bag and showed him a piece of brown string. ‘Must be some kind of signal that Wesley would recognize,’ Tony thought, seeing no other value to the piece of string. Tony’s eyes narrowed in anger again as he realized that the woman who had promised to pay him well had set this little exchange up, costing him not only his commission that was promised, but the cost of the repairs to his ship that the Baron’s two warships had caused. Then another thought occurred to him and he crossed his arms and glared at the Baron as the Lady’s entire plan seemed to just pop right into his head.
This, all of this with the warships and his ship held in thrall by the Baron's ships, was for the King’s benefit. All the blame would be placed on Tony and his crew for kidnapping the King and he would have to spend the rest of his life running from Araluen ships. Not that he wasn’t used to being on the run, since he was wanted in three other countries, but now he was going to be on the run for something he didn’t do. Well, not technically anyway. She was behind this. To add insult to injury, he wasn’t even going to make the staggering profit she had promised him. Tony seethed, though he tried to hide it. His quarrel wasn’t with the Baron – not yet- it was with the woman. For at least the hundredth time he vowed silently, ‘she will pay for this, she will pay dearly.’
"Maureena please take Captain De Cortina to the afterdeck I believe the steward has spread brunch for us there, He looks a bit tense you may also relax him until I arrive with a massage if he so wishes."
"Alright, hippity hop Ulrich! There is work to be done, His Majesty is waiting and I would like to be on my way before the second coming!"
Tony gave Ulrich a meaningful look but there was no time to exchange any further directions before Ulrich was ushered out. He felt a hand on his arm as the beautiful Maureena steered him out of the cabin and to the afterdeck.
There was a table laden with food and two chairs, into one of which Maureena directed him. “Best to do as he wishes, it hurts less.” Maureena whispered as she ran one hand up his shoulder as she stepped behind the chair. “He loves it when people fight him, no matter what the area.”
“I believe that.” Tony muttered as he sat staring at the food. Normally he would have enjoyed a little dalliance with the girl, but she was obviously the Baron’s toy and he didn’t want to take any liberties with her. He suspected the Baron, even though he offered, would not appreciate his property being tampered with.
Tony felt sorry for her, but she didn’t seem to mind. He tried to relax as she began to kneed the tension out of his shoulders. “Are you his slave?” Tony asked her, just to strike up a conversation.
“Oh no!” Marureena answered and Tony could see her eyes glittering in the reflection of a silver platter on the table. “We have a – well a business arrangement.”
Tony looked confused. It seemed that she was getting the short end of the stick as far as he could tell. Why would anyone be treated as a slave, particularly a sex slave, if they had a choice.
Maureena saw his confusion and smiled at him. “Don’t worry, I work for him and I enjoy my work. He pays me very well. He is, after all, very – well endowed.” She snorted at the intended pun. It was true in every sense of the words ‘well-endowed’. “I find being in his – service- very pleasurable as well as highly profitable. Do not worry about me.” She assured him.
Tony grabbed one of her hands and pulled her back in front of him so he could study her face instead of trying to read it through the reflection. “Are you sure? I could possibly negotiate with him to let you come with me, if you would like that.”
Maureena considered his offer for a moment. She’d had occasional thoughts about leaving the Baron when he was being particularly viscous, but as the thought of not being with him ever again settled in, she realized she could not leave him. She craved the Baron’s touch and knew that she would be with him until he tired of her and cast her aside. She worked diligently to keep him from growing tired of her. She shook her head and smiled at Tony. “I will not leave him. Not until he orders me to go, or our arrangement is no longer mutually beneficial.”
Tony didn’t understand, but if that was her wish, then so be it. “A pity. I could have shown you the world. Name a port anywhere and I could have taken you to it. But if that is your wish, then that is your wish.” Tony looked at the food again, wondering if any of it had been drugged. He dismissed the idea as soon as it occurred to him. Why would the Baron go through all the dramatics to kill him with poison? He could dispatch the pirate much quicker and easier if he wanted to. Tony picked up the wine glass and sniffed. It seemed to be excellent red wine. He downed the contents and gestured for the Steward to refill it as he waited for the Baron to arrive.
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