Seaside Speak (Aeos/Gar support B)

[Aeos]

Aeos spent the first three days out of the week preparing for the trip to Valor. He spent the first day looking around the shops and talking to people. He learned a great deal about the waters of Lycia through the fishermen and the sailors who hung around the docks. He developed a routine to talk to the people about the sea. His mornings were spent by the sea shore picking up all manner of shellfish and putting them into buckets. He would later barter these delicious delicacies of the sea to the local fishmongers to gain extra coin or supplies. He placed an order to the food stores for things like hard tack, jerky, pickled cabbages, and fruit preserves. These would be delivered to the ship. He made a small camp for himself by the shore in the outskirts of town. Every dusk he’d be back out on the beaches again looking for more shellfish this time, to fill his belly.

The second day was spent gathering barrels of water. He saved some money by borrowing an empty metal drum, a wagon, and two strong mules. He bought six empty barrels. He would go out into the countryside and gather the fresh water himself. He would place the drum full of water over a campfire and let it boil for five minutes. Then he’d take the drum off the fire. Let it cool down a bit then fill the wooden barrels with fresh water. He did this until he had six barrels of fresh water and then loaded them onto the wagon. The barrels were eventually branded with the word “water”. He unloaded these barrels of water onto the ship and returned the drum, wagon, and mules.

Day three was spent at academia. He poured through the archives of the local records. Learning everything he could about Dread Isle, specifically the terrain and current around it. Unfortunately, he did not have much to go on as it was a place few visited. He learned about the seas and ocean currents. He poured over maps of the both the island and of the main land. He read books about sea navigation just to help refresh his memory. He read books about ships. He learned of the local fauna and of plants that were found in the area. And finally he poured over several books that described ailments and how to cure them. He wanted to be well rounded in just about everything. He wanted to prove that he can be useful to the crew. He didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of “Mountain” or Captain Emil.

The fourth day was a day of rest. He decided to treat himself to something warm and sweet. So he bought a fresh roll of bread and smeared it with some jam and butter. He took a seat along an empty dock, took off his sandals, and let his feet hang over the edge of the dock into the water. He sat there. He slowly munched on his bread. He took a deep breath of the sea’s air and relaxed.

[Gar]

Gar had a week to prepare for the upcoming voyage to Dread Isle. Being the guy that Gar is, he determined this was more than enough time. The first night was spent in a drunken stupor. Upon waking up on the second day, he regretted the actions of the previous night. The day was spent nursing his hangover whilst lying on a bench on the towns streets. Many travelers and sailors passed him while he rested. Gar didn’t like the noise they brought but he couldn’t do much to stop it. The day passed by and Gar rented a room at an inn for the second night.

The third day came and the pirate decided it was time to start gathering supplies for the so called adventure of his life. He visited a few stores selling goods for travel. The prices were terribly expensive which was to be expected in a port city like Badon. Gar bought what he could afford and delivered the goods to the ship they were to be departing on. Unfortunately, the pirate still hadn’t taken care of the necessities. It seemed like he was going to be forced to resort to alternative measures. It had been some time since he had been forced to gather supplies through theft, but Gar believed he still had the skills necessary to do so.

That night he inspected a few stores and created a plan to relieve them of a couple burdens. He would make his move the next day. As he rested that night, he already began to feel guilty. He had been a pretty upstanding person in recent years. It wasn’t since he had been a teenager that he shoplifted and stole. He tried to shake the feeling off. He didn’t really have any other choice. The pirate had an uneasy sleep.

The fourth day was here and Gar had resolved himself to sneak away some wares from a local store. He walked along the docks while he contemplated when exactly he would make his move. As he strolled he came across a familiar face. Aeos was seated on the dock, relaxing and eating a roll. Gar smirked and thought to himself. Why didn’t I think of it sooner? I’m sure Aeos would be fine with sharing some supplies with me. Gar approached the seated Nabatan.

He took a seat next to him and struck up a conversation. “Ahoy Aeos, You prepared for the voyage in a few days?” Gar let his gaze fall upon the horizon. The current of the ocean always had an uplifting effect on the pirate.

[Aeos]

Aeos felt and heard footsteps behind him. He tilted his head back to see Gar behind him, nearly falling back in the process. He held his bread in his mouth in order to free his hand in order to quickly stabilize himself. To the Nabatan’s point of view Gar was upside down. Aeos gave a soft wave and motioned for the sailor to sit down next to him. Aeos smiled softly when the sailor did sit down. Aeos he mumbled something akin to greeting, before grabbing the roll out of his mouth and finishing off his bite.

“Sorry about that.” He wiped the crumbs off of his mouth.

“Hello Gar. It be good to see thee. Yes. I was preparing up until a little bit ago. I managed to get lots of water barrels and some preserves. I hope you like pickled things. Tis be sour but they be good against the scurvy.” He spoke with some cheer in his voice. Then returned to munching on his food. He turned to look back out at sea.

“I don't think we be out to sea that long. But, I like being prepared.” He smiled and finished his bread roll.

“How bout you? How go thy own preparations?” Aeos asked with some curiosity in his voice. He lifted his leg out of the water momentarily to check his feet. The water made them look shiny in the sunlight. No pruned feet yet. That's good. He wriggled his toes for a moment before dunking his foot back in the crisp blue water. He could feel scores of tiny little fish nibbling at the rough edges of his feet. It tickled but he did his best not to show it.

[Gar]

Gar lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck in light embarrassment. "About that hahar..." The pirate trailed off for a moment before he revealed his need for assistance. "Well I seem to have fallen a little short on funds for supplies. I was wondering if you could get some extra supplies and I can pay you back of course." The request stung Gar's pride somewhat, but he was glad Aeos was the only person around. Aeos is a good friend and I'm sure he knows I'm good for it. He actually might be one of the few people on this planet that would trust me. Gar couldn't imagine how this would've sounded to his other new crewmates.

The pirate's mind reminisced on the tavern where the crew met, the Sea Serpent. He then recalled how his first impressions came across. Everyone seemed alright for the most part, the captain was strange, but the one who concerned Gar was the big man. Gar had ran his mouth at the big guy when they first met. This was a move that Aeos had disagreed with. Gar remembered how Aeos reacted to his comments. "Speaking of the voyage, what are we gonna do about that big dude? The would be quartermaster?" IF he remembered correctly, the two had met before but they weren't friends. The big man claimed it was none of Gar's concern, but the pirate wanted to hear that from Aeos. "Is there anything I need to know about that guy?"

[Aeos]

“Extras? Well I suppose I can. But, you will have to help me with it. I have been waking up early to scavenge clams and oysters fromth the tides. I've been selling them to the local mongers for coin. It be easier to fill more buckets of shellfish if I had more eyes and hands.” The dragon in human guise smiled softly. He was more than willing to help Gar. So, long as Gar helped to help.

“Twould also make paying back considerably less. Plus, any surplus sea life we find, we can eat! Who wouldn't like a fresh breakfast oft shellfish in the morning. I can turn it into quite the soup.” Part of him was very glad he had spent centuries learning cooking from his parents. The cooking and catching of game had served him well in his travels. His bright demeanor darkened slightly with the mention of the “Mountain”. He had a slight frown and kept a quiet gaze towards the sea. He was thinking of what to say. What can we say? That he's a dragon with a vendetta against people. That.. would be really bad. And not our place to say it. There isn't much we can do either.

“Gar, my good man. There isn't anything we can do. The captain has appointed him to be our superior. We have to follow the orders given to us.. unless ye like walking planks.” Aeos hoped he got that expression right.

“Mountain is a man with a cruel history and fate.” He paused, reflecting on what it must be like to be a dragon without a stone. To be completely alone in a world where people have taken something precious from you. With this in mind, he pitied Mountain. But, he had a feeling mountain would not respond well to this pity.

“He will take out his frustrations oft his life out on the people near him. I suggest not asking for details. And avoid his large punching arms.” That sounded like good advice.

“To be honest I am uncomfortable around his presence. But I am glad you be joining us. Might make this trip bearable.” Aeos smiled softly and thought about the adventures had already with the sailor.

“Ah! Right! I am supposed to give you something.“ The dragon fumbled around in his bag and pulled out an armband. The same armband his parents had made. The armband had the pattern of a ship sailing the ocean waves. One where the ship sails were made of shark teeth. And the ship body made of rough shells. The ocean had a darker shade to it. Due to the crushed shells and minerals used in it's forging. He handed it to Gar.

“I went home and told my parents of our adventures. They.. made this for you as thank-you for keeping their only son safe. I hope it fits. And it be.. a return gift for the necklace you made me back on Vinland.”

[Gar]

Gar let out a sigh of relief when Aeos agreed to assist him in procuring provisions. The nabatan even had a solid plan to get money and water. Gar certainly didn’t expect it to be charity so he was glad to do the work required. After agreeing to do so, Aeos began to speak of the mountain and his history. Apparently he was a frustrated man with a dark past. The pirate shrugged and agreed to allow the man to be his superior in the voyage. He's right, nothing I can do. Orders are orders.

Gar smirked when Aeos mentioned he was happy that Gar was joining in on the voyage. “Likewise mate, if not for you I could’ve already made a couple mistakes.” The pirate was referencing mouthing off to the mountain as well as his current dilemma of lacking supplies. Then Gar’s ears perked up when Aeos spoke of a gift for him. The armband that was shown was remarkable. Gar reached out and held it in the sunlight. Bronze metal inlaid with shells and shark teeth, the design of an ocean and a sailboat. Gar couldn’t help but smile at the gift, it was perfect for the sailor and he immediately placed it around his upper right bicep.

“Wow you really didn’t have to make this for me, but it’s amazing. Tell your folks I appreciate it really. You can also let them know that I didn't really keep you safe, that was more of a group effort.” Gar’s attention was still arrested by how the armband looked on his arm. Dang, this makes me look intense. Eventually Gar returned to the conversation at hand. So mountain was a person to avoid in general, but Gar was also curious how the other mates seemed to Aeos.

“So how do the other crewmembers look? Loreley and Carmichael If I remember correctly.”

[Aeos]

“Oh good it fits. I was afraid it wouldn't. I am glad you like it. Twas a family effort. I gathered thee supplies, father worked the forge, Mother made the design.” Aeos smiled and he talked about the armband. Aeos was happy that Gar was happy.

“Do be careful with it. I know this world be full off thieves. It not be a matter of who saved whom.. but rather that you and I are friends. You.. have no idea how much off an impact that is.” Aeos expression changed lightly to something more serious.

“You can imagine how.. difficult it was growing up as nomad in Nabata. For a very, very, very, long time it was only me and my parents.” He sighed softly. He figured Gar would see his repetitiveness on the word very as an exaggeration and not actually true. Aeos was not yet ready to tell Gar the truth about who and what he was. How he had lived through centuries... How his folks had lived through millenniums.

“So, any friend I make on my travels... my folks.. see it as a good thing. They get so excited at the stories I bring home. Some times a little afraid. You should have seen their reaction when I told them about the twister. Aeos grinned slightly at that. He covered his mouth in order to hide the laugh. He then let it out as a sigh.

"In our history people.. have not been so kind to us. Lots.. of folks do not trust us due to our lively hood. Lack of trust and understanding leads to fear.. fear leads to aggression. Sometimes.. I see frustration, sadness, and regret due to that history in some of my parents actions. I.. have it too.. some resentment towards people but not as bad as them. So any friend I make.. it's.. it be like hope.. it helps dull old wounds.” He looked down to the sea below him. He was quiet for a while reflecting on his words. Thinking if he should have said all that.

“Ah.. sorry. I did not mean to get so sentimental. It feels like something weighty went off my chest. Right? That be the saying?” Aeos shook his head for a moment. That's not important.

“Hmm.. my opinion on the other crew members. I am envious oft Carmichael.. I could probably lift heavy crates every day for 100 years and not obtain that kind of upper body strength.” He patted his chest and arms down. Aeos was of semi-average build. He was fit with some muscles in the right places. These muscles were not as profound like Jabal’s or Carmichael. Aeos’ muscles were a refection of a man who was adept at climbing, jumping, running, rather then body building.

“But, I believe him to be a good man. Perhaps, if he be bit heavy on the drink. As for Loreley, she has a good head on her shoulders. I think she will be a good first mate.. if she gets the job. Her level headed nature might be what helps keep the ship afloat.”

[Gar]

Aeos’ display of sentimentality caught Gar off guard. The pirate came to realize that their friendship meant more than he was aware. Aeos had been lonely as a nomad and the people he came across looked down upon his lifestyle. People would view Aeos with anger and contempt for no significant reason. Gar could sympathize to a degree. While it was true that Gar chose his life of piracy, it did come with certain challenges. Gar was often forced to put on airs in order to maintain his credibility with other pirates. He would have to talk big and perform the dirty deeds required of pirates lest he suffer ridicule. The looks of terror and hatred from civilians, Gar was all too familiar with those. The pirate often questioned if his path truly was right for him. It was good just to know that he could make a friend just by being himself.

Gar patted Aeos on the shoulder. “Theres nothing to be sorry about. I understand. My parents were nomads once, it’s a difficult life.” Gar waited a moment before adding a little of his perspective on the matter. He ran a thumb over crevices of the armband. “It sure is unfortunate to have a past of grief and sorrow. But the fact that you’re still around means you’re strong. I know one thing for sure, I appreciate your friendship." He glanced to the gift he had received. Hope and friendship. Gar nodded and allowed the conversation to carry onward.

Aeos made mention of Carmichael’s physique and Gar had to agree. “Aye, the mate sure has muscle and he seems to be willing to use it productively. Loreley on the other hand, certainly isn’t as large as the man, but she seems to have experience at sea. I for one am thankful for that. We are headed to a place nicknamed Dread Isle after all. We might need all the experience we can get.” Gar furrowed his brow as he pondered a question internally. He voiced the inquiry to see if Aeos had any information on the matter.

“Why is it called Dread Isle anyway? When you think about it Dread and Valor don’t really go hand in hand. They’re more like opposites.”

[Aeos]

“Thank you Gar. Your words regarding strengths give me some confidence. I feel like this trip will push the limits off both my confidence and patience.” Aeos nodded. He glanced towards his feet. A multitude of different colored fish had swarmed around his feet. Most of them black, some were silver, and very few were yellow. He pulled his foot out of the water, he wasn’t a prune just yet. The fish in the water below swam away. Upset that their free meal and cover had been removed so abruptly from the water. Aeos pulled his other leg out too. He playfully shook them for a bit to get out the excess water, then pulled them back towards his body. He arranged himself to sit down in Indian position.

“I have an idea why Valor be called Dread isle. Dread Isle seems to be more oft a local name. I found some information about the isle in my studies. The isle is prone to both fog and pirates. Fog makes it hard to see.. pirates use it as cover. Misfortune happens… people panic.. call the isle cursed to invoke fear.. thus the name. Dread Isle is a term to deter people away fromth the pirates who den their. I do hope we do not run into pirates. I do not like taking axes to the face.” He sighed softly. He recalled his adventure in a small town of Little Rock. He was naive and foolishly took a weapon to the chest. Had Euphemious not knocked him out, there was a good chance he would have destroyed the town in a panicked dragon form state. Not one of our best moments. His other half quipped. Let's hope we don't freak out and destroy the boat. What if we want to? Wouldn't that be fun? Aeos closed his eyes. He mentally kicked himself. Aeos inner dragon liked to take things apart. It liked to fight and show off. Some days they agreed, other days they bickered, a good portion of Aeos time was spent achieving a happy medium between the two sides of himself. Aeos had to remind his other half of they were to do that, then they'd be responsible for lots of human deaths, including Gar’s.

“Hey Gar, how did you learn your talent.. you know your ability.. sacrifice? And thy connection to the spirits?”

[Gar]

Gar tracked the fish as they dispersed from below Aeos’ feet. Most of them retreated under the docks, but a few remained in the open water. The sight made Gar think back to how some of his father’s old crew members could snatch a fish out of the water with their bare hands. A young Gar thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Aeos spoke of Dread Isle and how its name came to be. Pirates, fog, curses. Gar could handle the first two, but the third was what gave him hesitation.

Gar smirked at Aeos’ comment about taking axes to the face. It was a funny way to express a common sentiment. “I’m sure we could handle a few pirates. I just don’t want to mess around with anything supernatural. Who knows what could happen?” Gar almost gave himself shivers just thinking about the possibility of ghosts and specters. Shiver me timbers. Gar shook off the chill and listened to Aeos’ question about his skill and his connection to the spirits. He prepared an answer.

“Long story short, a mate of mine got hit by an arrow in the chest. I didn’t really like the guy, but I couldn’t very well leave him there sputtering and coughing. I tried to pull the arrow out, but something got pulled out of me instead. I passed out and when I came to, our captain said I healed the mate at the expense of my own life force.” Gar shrugged nonchalantly. He enjoyed having the skill, but he didn’t want to appear as if he cared all that much. He was also told that the spirits had bestowed this gift upon him. At the time he didn’t think much of it, but now he knew spirits existed.

“I truly began to believe in the spirits on our venture through the desert. Before that I thought they were a myth, like dragons and sea serpents. But no. Spirits are as real as you and me. If I clear my head and focus I can hear them whisper, but that feels a little like eavesdropping. Plus they aren’t always around. I really should thank them for taking an interest in me.”

[Aeos]

Aeos was quiet for a while listening to Gar talk about spirits, myths, and legends. He was about to push himself back a bit in order to get a bit more comfortable. But, then Gar said that dragons were myths. And that single phrase stopped all his intention of moving. While Aeos was perfectly fine with complete strangers, believing that dragons didn't exist. He was not fine with Gar believing them not to exist.

Aeos closed his eyes. It was impossible for Gar to realize what he just said hurt Aeos. Gar did not know that dragons still walked among man. Gar did not know that the he himself had befriended one. And that both man and dragon were going to share a boat with yet another dragon.

The other half of him… the part of him sealed in stone… his dragon side was furious. We show him a myth! Aeos shut his eyes tighter, he looked like he was struggling to think of something. Or as if he had a really bad headache. This uncomfortable gesture was brief but painfully obvious. He was playing a mental tug of war with his emotions. He put his hand to his forehead and tried to hide his eyes. He could feel the subtle signs of partial transformation. Come on! He doesn't know. He doesn't know! We will make him know! We've saved his sorry ass and he thinks we a myth!? In the end though his more rational side won. He took a deep breath and exhaled. In that breath he let go of his frustration. He calmed down and started to focus on the other things Gar had said.

“Spooky things or not I am still excited for this trip.” He forced a smile and put his hand down.

“Spirits are finicky things. One moment here next moment gone. Charmers, Mages, and magic weapon makers have done wonderful and terrible things with spirits. They have used that power of the invisible.. to wage war.. to unlock the secrets of the world. To cause both wonder and ruin. Gar you barely scratched the surface of what lending power the spirits and magic have. But, do not go overboard. Spirits are not infinite.” He paused for a moment.

“Gar.. allow me to dissolve your misconceptions of a few things. Sea serpents are real. But they not be to the massive sizes as told in sea stories. They actually be a type of snake.. like a grass snake or cobra. But, they live in warm seas and have flat tails that help them swim. They be snakes not fish thus they lack gills so they have to come up for air. Every spring the females come to shore to lay eggs. They have poisonous bites.. they be pretty tasty though.” He took another breath and prepared himself for the next bit.

“As for dragons.. they be real. Or rather.. they existed. They are not myths but as actual things.” We are not a thing! He pushed through that thought and continued on.

“Khan Yunis has an archive.. or a reliquary of sorts. In it be peices of history… artifacts of a time long past. Texts of an ancient world were dragons are mentioned.” He remembered the times spent in the archives with his mother. He scratched the back of his head.

“Ruins, sometimes appear in the sands. Columns and doorways of large things that simply could not have been made by humans.” He was reminded of Locke and his sanctuary. How the pair of them spent the night in their shifted form play fighting. He's not a myth either!

“History has told us of the war of the Scouring.” He frowned. The Scouring was before his time. And all he knew from it was what his parents told him. Their War Stories. They told him that humans “won”. And terrible actions were done on both sides both during and after the war.

“Humanity” The word came out of his mouth with some anger. He cleared his throat and spoke in a calmer tone.

“Humanity has its 8 Heroes and weapons of legend. The heroes are gone.. but the weapons remain. Proof that they fought dragons. They had to have existed once. People don't make slayer type weapons out on a whim. Dismissing them as myth when evidence of their existence exists... feels wrong.” We are right here.. We exist damn it. He wasn't sure why, but he was tearing up. Probably due to frustration. These tears were still at the edges of his eyes and had not yet rolled down his cheeks. He rubbed his eyes in an attempt to hide them.

“I'm sorry. I.. just.. don't know what's come over me. I think.. I have been out in the sun too long.”

[Gar]

Anyone could tell a story and claim in to be true. Years at sea left Gar with a skeptical mind toward such stories. Sailors certainly loved to stretch the truth. Fishermen claiming to have pulled in fish bigger than their boats. One handed sailors who claim they lost their limb fighting a shark. Mermaids and sirens. Good luck charms and bad luck bananas. Haunted docks and cursed ships. It always sounded so far-fetched. Gar wanted to be able to deny it all, if only for his own peace of mind. But there was so much he couldn’t be sure about.

Gar scratched his cheek. Aeos was a veritable fountain of information and just hearing the man speak made Gar feel empty headed. The first new fact he heard was mages used spirits to channel their magic. Gar didn’t know that. He thought they could just control elements. He never thought past that, who controls the elements? Spirits. Gar was still inexperienced in his dealing with the spirits. After all he has rarely used his skill and aside from the spirits in the desert, he hasn’t interacted with any in a significant fashion. From here Aeos began to pile on the facts that Gar was mistaken about.

I’ve spent my whole life at sea and I’ve never seen a sea serpent. The way other sailors speak of them, they’re bigger than boats. Gar still debated this point but decided it best not to press Aeos on it. Especially after he spoke on a final piece of misinformation. Dragons are real. Like the sea serpents, Gar had heard stories of dragons. Giant terrifying powerhouses that could destroy villages. Of course he heard the stories of the Scouring and the Eight Heroes. Who could forget Duban the Berserker and his mighty Armads? Gar remembered how he used to pretend to be the mighty berserker of legend as a child. A young Gar would stomp around the deck of his father’s ship claiming to be a legendary hero. However, as he grew older the stories became just that, stories. He never had any proof or real reason to believe in dragons. Hearing Aeos speak of them made Gar question his earlier statement. Gar had never seen these archives in Khan Yunis, but maybe they had legitimate artifacts that proved the existence of dragons. All this and the fact that it was coming from an intelligent man he trusted. Perhaps the stories were true. Perhaps the humans did eradicate a whole race of being. If that were the case, surely there would be more proof than some big ruins in the desert and fables about mighty weapons.

Gar almost spoke again for clarification on the matter. However, his eyes fell upon Aeos’ and he saw that something was bothering him. It couldn’t be the sun as the man had claimed. Aeos was from Nabata after all, the land of sand and sun. There was something else to it and Gar believed he figured it out. He hadn't but the pirate stroked his beard in thought. It must be taxing to explain so much to a dim guy like me. Gar rose and offered a hand to the nabatan man. “No need to apologize to me mate. I’m sorry that my… uh. ignorance has upset you. Why don’t we head inside somewhere? Maybe get a drink to cool off.”

[Aeos]

He just kept his hands over his face for a moment. Just trying to compose himself. He was not expecting Gar’s innocently insensitive comment to affect him so much. He was upset at the fact that Gar dismissed his kind as myth. Euphemious was a different case. The Bernese man had an encounter with dragons prior to meeting Aeos, so he knew them to be real. He knew their destructive force and respected it. But, Gar was different. The sailor didn't fight a dragon, he didn't know that they still lived. And Aeos, he was frustrated that he couldn't just show him. That he couldn't just outright say he was a dragon. That he could prove it by shifting a hand into a claw. But, the young dragon had to be cautious with his power. Humanity’s histories and legends were full of traitors and backstabbers. And while he doubted Gar would oust him, he still needed to exercise caution. He found himself asking questions in his own head. Why? Why did the Scouring have to happen? Why did the war start? Why.. can't I just be accepted with out fear?

“It's.. just.. so frustrating. There.. is something more I wish to show you.. to tell you. But due to locations and circumstances.. I cannot.” He managed to pull his hands away from his face. Her used his sleeve to rub away the excess moisture. He sighed softly. He focused on his breathing until he had fully calmed down.

“I do… apologize for that outburst. But.. for now I think.. it be wise if we do not mention dragon myths or the scouring for a while. I.. seem to get.. emotional around it. I.. shall take thy offer of a cool drink though.” He grabbed his pack and put it on. He rubbed Oscar’s head out of habit.

“Well then.. do you have any recommendations?”

Ooc- I think this is a good point to stop. Feel free to end it on your next post if you want.

[Gar]

There was something more Aeos wanted Gar to know, but he couldn’t speak of it. The pirate figured it was a secret of sorts. What? Are you a pirate too? Gar thought. He himself hadn’t revealed the whole picture either. Aeos thought Gar was a simple sailor, not a dishonorable pirate who would steal supplies for a trip to Valor. That said, Aeos’ secret, whatever it was, seemed to carry more weight behind it. Gar respected the man’s right to keep things to himself and did not pry.

Gar had come away with a final nugget of information. Dragon myths and the scouring were not to be mentioned in front of Aeos. If he would remember anything from this conversation it would most likely be that. Aeos was his best friend after all and Gar sincerely felt bad for upsetting him. Fortunately, Aeos accepted Gar’s proposal to get a drink leading Gar to believe there were no hard feelings. Gar watched as the nabatan rose and donned his pack, rubbing the figuring from the desert. Gar smirked and shot a comment at the small figure. “Nice to see ya again Oscar.” Gar rubbed his thumb against his armband. Looks like I have a keepsake too now.

Aeos asked if Gar had any place in mind where he wanted to get a beverage. Well we could go back to the Sea Serpent. But that doesn’t really seem like a good move right now. Gar thought quickly about the local spots in Badon. Gar grinned as he came to a conclusion. “Let’s go to The Anchor. I hear they have the best spirits in town. If you can believe that.” The pirate chuckled as his joke as he walked toward the tavern with his friend. He was relaxed for now but soon, he would have to work to gain the supplies needed for the voyage. They only had a little over three days before they set sail.

[End Thread]