It had been over a dozen trials since the boat had left the city of Andaris and set out for the Ithecal city of Ivorian. Vincent sat in a chair that had been bolted to the floor to ensure it wouldn't move during times of rough weather on the open seas. Across from him, shackled at the wrists and chained to a bolt in the floor, sitting on a small wooden bed with a wool blanket and an extremely old and well used mattress for padding was his charge, Valeria Felstar. A woman of average height and build. Clad in what must have once been a decent set of travelers clothing, though after spending sometime in the prisons of Andaris the outfit was now torn in numerous places, and covered in a thick layer of dirt, sweat, and maybe a little blood. The woman glared at him through her hair, matted by the same filth that covered her clothing. Her hunter green eyes, staring daggers into him. Valeria was a thief of some note in Ivorian it seemed. Wanted by the Ivorian Militia for multiple acts of theft, fraud, and counterfeiting. It was almost ironic that she had been caught in Andaris for little more than a matter of taxes. Vincent just stared back, not affected by the hate that seemed to radiate from the woman. Early on in the journey he had tried to make conversation to pass the time, but that had earned him little more than grunts and sneers.
Vincent stood, double checking his charges bindings to ensure their security, then left the cabin. Sitting had stiffened his body and he decided to get some fresh air and sunlight. As he walked through the lower portion of the ship, Vincent adjusted his leather armor. Normally he would have been in either chain or plate armor, but both were inconvenient for traveling. At his hip hung a longsword, and back in the room sat his shield, both plain looking but extremely functional. When he finally made it up to the main deck of the ship the smell of the sea hit him. Breathing deep the aroma of salt and sea, and letting the sun bathe his face in warmth for a few seconds, Vincent couldn't help but smile a little. The weather was warmer, but the breeze from the sea dulled the bite of the heat. As the second passed and Vincent returned to himself and continued to where he knew that captain of the ship would be, near the helm. As he approached the captain saw him and a smile split his face. "Ah, Knight D'Ordyn, decided to join us on this fine day?" He asked, clasping arms with Vincent when he drew near enough.
Vincent returned the smile, "It seemed a waste to spend the entire day below decks." He replied letting go of the man’s arm and stepping back to lean against the wooden railing of the ship. The captain, Trillion, was a good man. Well into the prime of his life, but still going as strong as any man half his age, he had come highly recommended by an U’frek friend. So on that recommendation, Vincent had hired the man and his crew to transport him and his charge to Ivorian as quick and quietly as possible. The man had done everything asked of him, and had been more than hospitable to Vincent, and Valeria alike. Thinking back to the woman shackled in the cabin below, dirt covered and clad in rags, he decided to ask the man a favor. "Captain, do you think I could trouble you for a washtub, soap and a change of clothes. I'd happily compensate you for the clothing and soap."
Trillion eyed him for a moment, seeming to weigh the knight's words for a moment before answering. "Aye sir, I can do that. I'll even have Albert fetch you a few buckets of salt water for the tub, and no need to worry about compensation. Just join me and mine for supper, we'd love to hear some stories of your time in the Moseke Knights. The sea can be a dull place at times." Smiling at the last bit Trillion turned and shouted. A few seconds late a boy, only a few arcs younger than Vincent himself appeared. "Albert, I want you to fetch a washtub, some soap, a change of clothes from the store and take them to Knight D'Ordyn's room. Then take a few buckets of seawater to fill the tub for the Knight." The cabin boy nodded once and turned to leave.
"Leave the tub and clothing at the door I will take them in." Vincent said straightening from his perch on the railing. The cabin boy looked back at Vincent gave a hurried agreement and was off. Turning back to Trillion, Vincent shook the old seaman's hand again, "Thank you captain. I'll join you again later in the day," and with that Vincent left the captain at the helm and went back to his cabin. Looking around as he entered the room Valeria was where, and how he'd left her. Sitting on the edge of the bed, hair hanging over her face, and still glaring at him like he was the vilest person she'd ever met. It was quite a look; not sure he'd ever seen someone pull it off so effortlessly before. Shutting the door Vincent leaned back against it and just returned to the staring match they had been having before his brief trip to the upper deck. They both held their positions as the moments ticked by. After a handful of bits, there was a knock at the door. Straightening, Vincent opened the door. There sat a small washtub with a folded change of clothes and a bar of soap sitting atop it. Albert was nowhere to be seen, Vincent assume the cabin boy must have run off to fetch the water. Grabbing the items off the top of the tub he moved them inside and sat them on the chair he had occupied before. Then he returned for the tub, shutting the door behind him as he brought it into the room. Valeria hadn't moved, nor had her glare moved from him, but as he placed the tub in front of her she did do something that took him by surprise, she spoke.
"Plan on making me watch you bathe, Moseke Dog?" she growled at him. Her voice was a little hoarse, Vincent assumed from the lack of use over the past few trials. It might have even been pleasant otherwise, if not for the scorn and hate that seemed to trip on every word she spoke.
Before Vincent could respond, there was another knock at the door. This time when Vincent opened it Albert stood there, laden with four buckets of seawater. Taking the buckets from the boy and thanking him by way of a silver nel, Vincent returned to the room and his charge. Emptying three of the buckets into the washtub, leaving the fourth beside it, Valeria continued to sneer at him. Vincent just let the look slide off him as he had done since the start of the trip. After he'd finished Vincent collected his shield and pack and moved them outside the door, before returning to stand before Valeria. Looking down at the woman Vincent finally spoke. "You're a mess, covered in mud, and the Immortal's know what else. Bathe, change, and cause no trouble for me or the men of this ship." With that Vincent pulled the key to the shackles from one of the pouches on his belt and undid Valeria's binds. For once, the glare slipped, replaced with something else for a second before returning a second later. "Remember, no trouble, or this will be the last time I let you out." With that Vincent retreated from the room, shutting the door behind him and took up watch, leaning against the wall next to the door. After a few moments passed, he could hear the sounds of water splashing.
After what seemed like half a break had passed Vincent pounded on the door. "Clothe yourself woman, and sit back on the bed." He called through the wooden door. Giving her a few bits to comply he opened the door. As he stepped in a bucket came flying at his head. Vincent had been expecting it though. Ducking the bucket and grabbing the arm that held it, he twisted and pinned it to her back. To the credit her, she did not drop the bucket right away, forcing him to apple more pressure to her arm. Eventually she let the bucket fall to the floor with a hallow thud. During the brief struggle Valeria never shouted or cursed, if anything she seemed strangely calm. "I thought we agreed no trouble." Vincent said to the back of the woman's head as he walked her back to the bed.
"I don't remember ever agreeing to that." Valeria said as Vincent returned the shackles to her wrists, a smug smile on her face. Now that she was clean Vincent could clearly see the woman that had hidden beneath the grime. She was easily attractive, if not beautiful, though the clothes that Albert had brought her did little to show off her body. Her hair was a fiery red and though a little stiff from the salt water was much more vibrant now that the mud and been washed from it. Catching him examining her washed appearance she spoke again, "See something you like?" She teased, the same smug smile still painted across his face.
"Not in the slightest Felstar, just making note of the changes in appearance, encase you attempt to make a run for it later." Vincent replied, all of his cool military calm, even after her little attack. Picking the bucket back up he began to empty the tub out of the little porthole window. After a few bits he had emptied enough to be able to lift the tub and carry it out of the room. Leaving it beside the door and returning his possessions to their place on the far wall of his room. Again, Vincent walked over to Valeria, reaching down to check the restraints on her wrists and the bolt on the floor. As he went to leave the room Vincent stopped, back to his charge and door handle in hand. "I will be eating with the captain and crew tonight. Would you like something?" Vincent waited a bit, no reply. He could feel it though, the glare had returned and fallen on the back of his head. With a heavy sigh, Vincent pulled the door closed and went back to the main deck.
Many breaks had passed and the sun had disappeared from the sky long before Vincent returned to the room. As he entered the room he noticed that Valeria wasn't sitting on the edge of the bed, where he normally found her upon his returns. No, she had lain down and the steady breathing coming from her form suggested a deep sleep. That was a first, normally she waited for Vincent to nod off before allowing herself any rest, and was always awake before him in the morning. Closing the door behind him Vincent crossed the room. Stopping at the head of her bed, he knelt down and placed the cloth full of bread, dried meats, and fruits on the floor, before standing and crossing to other side of the room to lay down against his pack. A few bits passed, and Vincent started to drift off to the gentle rocking of the boat on the sea.
Vincent stood, double checking his charges bindings to ensure their security, then left the cabin. Sitting had stiffened his body and he decided to get some fresh air and sunlight. As he walked through the lower portion of the ship, Vincent adjusted his leather armor. Normally he would have been in either chain or plate armor, but both were inconvenient for traveling. At his hip hung a longsword, and back in the room sat his shield, both plain looking but extremely functional. When he finally made it up to the main deck of the ship the smell of the sea hit him. Breathing deep the aroma of salt and sea, and letting the sun bathe his face in warmth for a few seconds, Vincent couldn't help but smile a little. The weather was warmer, but the breeze from the sea dulled the bite of the heat. As the second passed and Vincent returned to himself and continued to where he knew that captain of the ship would be, near the helm. As he approached the captain saw him and a smile split his face. "Ah, Knight D'Ordyn, decided to join us on this fine day?" He asked, clasping arms with Vincent when he drew near enough.
Vincent returned the smile, "It seemed a waste to spend the entire day below decks." He replied letting go of the man’s arm and stepping back to lean against the wooden railing of the ship. The captain, Trillion, was a good man. Well into the prime of his life, but still going as strong as any man half his age, he had come highly recommended by an U’frek friend. So on that recommendation, Vincent had hired the man and his crew to transport him and his charge to Ivorian as quick and quietly as possible. The man had done everything asked of him, and had been more than hospitable to Vincent, and Valeria alike. Thinking back to the woman shackled in the cabin below, dirt covered and clad in rags, he decided to ask the man a favor. "Captain, do you think I could trouble you for a washtub, soap and a change of clothes. I'd happily compensate you for the clothing and soap."
Trillion eyed him for a moment, seeming to weigh the knight's words for a moment before answering. "Aye sir, I can do that. I'll even have Albert fetch you a few buckets of salt water for the tub, and no need to worry about compensation. Just join me and mine for supper, we'd love to hear some stories of your time in the Moseke Knights. The sea can be a dull place at times." Smiling at the last bit Trillion turned and shouted. A few seconds late a boy, only a few arcs younger than Vincent himself appeared. "Albert, I want you to fetch a washtub, some soap, a change of clothes from the store and take them to Knight D'Ordyn's room. Then take a few buckets of seawater to fill the tub for the Knight." The cabin boy nodded once and turned to leave.
"Leave the tub and clothing at the door I will take them in." Vincent said straightening from his perch on the railing. The cabin boy looked back at Vincent gave a hurried agreement and was off. Turning back to Trillion, Vincent shook the old seaman's hand again, "Thank you captain. I'll join you again later in the day," and with that Vincent left the captain at the helm and went back to his cabin. Looking around as he entered the room Valeria was where, and how he'd left her. Sitting on the edge of the bed, hair hanging over her face, and still glaring at him like he was the vilest person she'd ever met. It was quite a look; not sure he'd ever seen someone pull it off so effortlessly before. Shutting the door Vincent leaned back against it and just returned to the staring match they had been having before his brief trip to the upper deck. They both held their positions as the moments ticked by. After a handful of bits, there was a knock at the door. Straightening, Vincent opened the door. There sat a small washtub with a folded change of clothes and a bar of soap sitting atop it. Albert was nowhere to be seen, Vincent assume the cabin boy must have run off to fetch the water. Grabbing the items off the top of the tub he moved them inside and sat them on the chair he had occupied before. Then he returned for the tub, shutting the door behind him as he brought it into the room. Valeria hadn't moved, nor had her glare moved from him, but as he placed the tub in front of her she did do something that took him by surprise, she spoke.
"Plan on making me watch you bathe, Moseke Dog?" she growled at him. Her voice was a little hoarse, Vincent assumed from the lack of use over the past few trials. It might have even been pleasant otherwise, if not for the scorn and hate that seemed to trip on every word she spoke.
Before Vincent could respond, there was another knock at the door. This time when Vincent opened it Albert stood there, laden with four buckets of seawater. Taking the buckets from the boy and thanking him by way of a silver nel, Vincent returned to the room and his charge. Emptying three of the buckets into the washtub, leaving the fourth beside it, Valeria continued to sneer at him. Vincent just let the look slide off him as he had done since the start of the trip. After he'd finished Vincent collected his shield and pack and moved them outside the door, before returning to stand before Valeria. Looking down at the woman Vincent finally spoke. "You're a mess, covered in mud, and the Immortal's know what else. Bathe, change, and cause no trouble for me or the men of this ship." With that Vincent pulled the key to the shackles from one of the pouches on his belt and undid Valeria's binds. For once, the glare slipped, replaced with something else for a second before returning a second later. "Remember, no trouble, or this will be the last time I let you out." With that Vincent retreated from the room, shutting the door behind him and took up watch, leaning against the wall next to the door. After a few moments passed, he could hear the sounds of water splashing.
After what seemed like half a break had passed Vincent pounded on the door. "Clothe yourself woman, and sit back on the bed." He called through the wooden door. Giving her a few bits to comply he opened the door. As he stepped in a bucket came flying at his head. Vincent had been expecting it though. Ducking the bucket and grabbing the arm that held it, he twisted and pinned it to her back. To the credit her, she did not drop the bucket right away, forcing him to apple more pressure to her arm. Eventually she let the bucket fall to the floor with a hallow thud. During the brief struggle Valeria never shouted or cursed, if anything she seemed strangely calm. "I thought we agreed no trouble." Vincent said to the back of the woman's head as he walked her back to the bed.
"I don't remember ever agreeing to that." Valeria said as Vincent returned the shackles to her wrists, a smug smile on her face. Now that she was clean Vincent could clearly see the woman that had hidden beneath the grime. She was easily attractive, if not beautiful, though the clothes that Albert had brought her did little to show off her body. Her hair was a fiery red and though a little stiff from the salt water was much more vibrant now that the mud and been washed from it. Catching him examining her washed appearance she spoke again, "See something you like?" She teased, the same smug smile still painted across his face.
"Not in the slightest Felstar, just making note of the changes in appearance, encase you attempt to make a run for it later." Vincent replied, all of his cool military calm, even after her little attack. Picking the bucket back up he began to empty the tub out of the little porthole window. After a few bits he had emptied enough to be able to lift the tub and carry it out of the room. Leaving it beside the door and returning his possessions to their place on the far wall of his room. Again, Vincent walked over to Valeria, reaching down to check the restraints on her wrists and the bolt on the floor. As he went to leave the room Vincent stopped, back to his charge and door handle in hand. "I will be eating with the captain and crew tonight. Would you like something?" Vincent waited a bit, no reply. He could feel it though, the glare had returned and fallen on the back of his head. With a heavy sigh, Vincent pulled the door closed and went back to the main deck.
Many breaks had passed and the sun had disappeared from the sky long before Vincent returned to the room. As he entered the room he noticed that Valeria wasn't sitting on the edge of the bed, where he normally found her upon his returns. No, she had lain down and the steady breathing coming from her form suggested a deep sleep. That was a first, normally she waited for Vincent to nod off before allowing herself any rest, and was always awake before him in the morning. Closing the door behind him Vincent crossed the room. Stopping at the head of her bed, he knelt down and placed the cloth full of bread, dried meats, and fruits on the floor, before standing and crossing to other side of the room to lay down against his pack. A few bits passed, and Vincent started to drift off to the gentle rocking of the boat on the sea.
Vincent - Them - Others - Thoughts
End Part I