< Skyla Prelude 1 | Campaign Logs | Skyla Prelude 3 >
SKYLA & BALTHASAR PRELUDE 2
Balthasar changes topic to 'Tonight, we are slaves to no one... except the rhythm!'
ST ::The small port of Dravin is not an unfamiliar sight to Balthasar tal Valt. A midshipman on a small guild trader, the Lonely Maiden, Balthasar had been here a few times before -- this is where his captain picked up the shipment of Slaves that were to be transported back to Nevin some season or so of travel (and trading) Southward.::
ST ::Thus, Balthasar was on the deck of the Maiden working some of the sailors, when the Guild led in a small (maybe 20 or so) group of slaves chained in groups of five onto the ship.
ST ...he'd seen slaves before, of course. It was hard NOT to see Slaves anywhere in Creation, but especially when working anywhere near the Guild. He'd even seen some pretty pitiful sights, from elderly women to young children. But...there was just something about her.::
Skyla{G} is small and thin, a wiry little thing who looks, not so much depressed, as resigned to the rattle of chains that fills every step, Her teal hair flows down her shoulders from a simple ponytail, although a few strands still fall forward to frame her pixieish face. There's something about the set of her shoulders, the spark in her eye, that shows she has not given up completely yet, although she hides it.
Skyla{G} is small and thin, a wiry little thing who looks, not so much depressed, as resigned to the rattle of chains that fills every step, Her teal hair flows down her shoulders from a simple ponytail, although a few strands still fall forward to frame her pixieish face. There's something about the set of her shoulders, the spark in her eye, that shows she has not given up completely yet, although she hides it.
Lerri , directly behind the young girl in the chains, is considerably older -- maybe in her mid-20s. She walks slowly, somewhat more resigned than her younger charge, but also seems to be somewhat sheltering her.
Balthasar is a long-limbed, dusky skinned young man. His black hair is tied back with a burlap cord, and he's got the start of a beard on his chin. He appears quite owrn out, and pauses for a breath as he looks to the oncoming slaves. A sight he's seen before, he sees no need to comment. However, he is gracious, and meets everyone's eye with a friendly, non-violent apprisal as they pass.
Balthasar pauses as the girl with the teal hair passes, his hand resting on her shoulder for a second. Then, his hand drops, and he allows the train to continue without further delay.
Skyla{G} flinches a little, and looks up, surprised. She's not used to being touched in a..was that a friendly fashion?
ST ::As she passes by, Balthasar can't help but see the brand of ownership on the shoulder of one so young. Yet, then, the slave drivers send the train down below decks and introduce them to their "quarters" for the next month or so... Balthasar, quickly distracted in his numerous tasks, lets the young Barbarian girl slip from his mind...as much as he is able.::
ST ::That night, while eating his meager rations, he can't help but think of her -- and in a moment of compassion, heads down below decks to where the slaves are kept. She doesn't speak Rivertongue at all, nor do most of them, and while they've been feeding her enough she's still somewhat thin... Children her age need more food.::
ST ::That was not the last time. He came back again, with food. Slowly, he tried to teach her a bit of the tongue, spending some of his off-duty time below decks trying to cheer her up and assist her as he can.::
ST ::Only a week out of port, he'd already decided -- she couldn't make it all the way to Nevin. Attempting to help her escape was insane, it was a small boat and he'd already been seen. But, maybe he could get her soul to a nicer family before they reached the main slave port...::
Skyla{G} stares at him solemnly through the bars, with her light blue eyes seeming to see right through him. "Why do you help me, sir?" she asks, in his tongue, slowly.
Balthasar breaks a bit of his bread and tosses the girl half, as he's done every night to some degree.
Skyla{G} catches the bread, and tears a piece off, eating it hungrily. Her eyes never leave his face, though, just as always.
Balthasar shrugs noncommitally. "I'm not really helping you. I'm just doing what I can to change your path."
Skyla{G} "Change my path, sir? It is not mine." she gestures expressively to the bars.
Balthasar hasn't, often, spoken much. Someone well-versed in body language would see that he is highly uncomfortable, both with the risks he's taking, and the ideas in his head. He's just a kid, himself, in a lot of ways, and it's possible even he doesn't yet know his reasons.
Balthasar It is the path that directs you, then, that I change.
Skyla{G} "Are you going to buy me, sir? Is it why you give me food?"
Balthasar Ah, I'm too poor for that, myself.
Balthasar shakes his head slowly, scratching his brow.
Balthasar But what I've given you in bread, I've given you tenfold in chance. You'll see.
Skyla{G} "Oh." she wraps her arms around her knees, pulling them up to her chest. "I don't like it here." she says quietly.
Balthasar Our third stop down the river. Just be strong enough to get there, and you will see.
Balthasar smiles.
ST ::Not long after that, Balthasar gives her a smile and heads off -- called to some work that needs doing above. He's going on watch soon, and he has to be on position...::
Captain`Naida straightens the papers on his desk, in the small cabin. He looks up at Balthasar, frowns slightly, and speaks.
Captain`Naida "I have heard... of your extra visits down into the slave hold, Balthasar."
ST ::The captains quarters are spacious, compared to Balthasar's own (which he shares with three other Officers), and decorated in the style he'd have expected from Captain Jak Naida -- charts, maps, a small painting of Cinnabar District in Nexus, and various keepsakes from the various places he's visited...::
Balthasar is worn from the day's work, a tired pair of bruises beneath his brown eyes. He is a bit heavy of breath, but listens attentively to the Captain regardless.
Captain`Naida "Tell me, why do you associate with the slaves? This little girl, I hear, especially."
Balthasar raises a brow, fixing the captain with an unanswering, studying gaze.
Balthasar says, slowly, "Have I done something inappropriate, sir?"
Captain`Naida frowns and leans back in his chair, tiredly. "Not exactly." he sighs. "But look, Balthasar. You're a trader, and you KNOW that we carry slaves all the time. You can't go getting *involved* with them. It just won't do. It'll give you nothing but trouble, boy."
Balthasar puts his hand on his chin, rubbing his scant black traces of hair, there.
Balthasar Well, if you're concerned about my involvement, there's really no need, sir. She will be gone in a week or two, and I will be with this ship until it turns around. She is, I have to admit, better company than most of my men, at times.
Balthasar grins.
Balthasar steps forward a bit.
Balthasar Listen, I have a friend down the river. He's willing to pay a little extra for her.
Captain`Naida "It's a damn shame, that one, so young. But there's nothing you can do. Nothing you SHOULD do. It just doesn't work that way... and I'm glad you realize that. Trust me, it's better that way. You'll forget her. You'll forget all of them, eventually." he shakes his head, "She's not bound for that stop, and you know it."
Balthasar shrugs.
Balthasar It's good business. She travels far less with us, and we save food for the crew. And we make a little extra on top of it.
Balthasar Listen, she and I are served the same bread, aren't we? You have to see the reasoning.
Captain`Naida taps his stack of papers, showing the slave manifest, "She's bound for Nevin, I'll have plenty of buyers there... I'm not sure it will be worth it, this 'extra.'"
Balthasar Oh?
Balthasar Why not? We don't even make any new stops. It's on our docking charter.
Captain`Naida shakes his head, "Besides, if I let you do this, 'this once' will turn into every time. You can't go saving every pretty face you see."
Balthasar leans forward.
Balthasar You're saying that if I can consistently turn a major bonus profit for this ship, it's a bad thing, sir?
Captain`Naida "I'm *saying* that it'll start out innocent enough, but you'll get caught up in it, turn into one of those.." he waves his hand dismissively "those crusaders who think they're going to end slavery, and just get thrown in with the slaves themselves. It's a bad end for someone with promise like you, boy. This is your *job,* it's your *future.* The Guild doesn't look kindly on those who stick their neck out for slaves."
Balthasar now plants his knuckles on the edge of the desk, fixing the Captain in his normally placid, analytical gaze.
Balthasar You're saying that if I can turn a profit for you, and do the right thing, you want none of it? You really have grown old, haven't you? What was it that did you in? No one's complaining. It's just you. What are you afraid of?
Captain`Naida turns a little white, and his lips tighten into a thin line. He stands, meeting Balthasar's gaze directly. "Fine. You're right, this IS a good deal. But don't let this go to your head. Help the girl, and see where it gets you. You'll see, just like I did. Now go."
Balthasar straightens up.
Balthasar genuinely takes in the Captain's words, and is puzzling them over, as the turns and leaves. His expression, however, is kempt and neutral.
Balthasar is so baffled, he even forgets to give his farewells.
ST ::fade out...::
< Skyla Prelude 1 | Campaign Logs | Skyla Prelude 3 >
Stryck Wiki