Business and Wine

Posted on 21 Sep 2021 @ 9:09pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash

3,775 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Summerday La Fête
Location: Jader Waterfront
Timeline: Cloudreach 22nd - night

Though Rhiannon had bid him arrive at eight to accompany her and her mother to a secret meeting, Kalian had arrived an hour early and perched on the roof of a waterfront warehouse with a broad view of the dock area surrounding Rhiannon's ship. In the form of a crow he watched for anyone else surveilling the Night's Kiss, but nothing unusual caught his attention.

Kalian took advantage of his covert arrival to appear at the dock next to the Night's Kiss gang plank in human form, wearing a dark cloak and his staff strapped to his back, exactly on time. As the chantry's bell carried through Jader's night air, he counted the bells and waited for Rhiannon and her mother.

Rhi looked to her mother, as she stood by the door leading into the Captain's cabin aboard the Night Kiss. "I know you know this Gerlach, still it has been quite awhile since he has asked for you. (pause) I just want to be careful."

Rhi's mother chuckled. "Yes daul (daughter). We will be careful. Besides we will have your "friend" with us tonight. If he is as good as you say, then we have nothing to worry about."

Rhi heard her mothers reference to "friend" and shook her head slightly. "Maamr. (mother). He is an empl...." Her tone held a bit of embarrassment and shyness.

"Rhiannon, I am your mother and I know you. You like him. Don't deny it daughter. (pause) I am happy for you." Her tone was warm. She stood up from her desk, rolled up the papers she had been working on, put them in a case and headed for the door. "Lets go." As she moved passed Rhi, stopping briefly to give her daughter a warm smile.

Rhi gave her mother a warm smile in return as she followed her mother from the below deck to the main deck. As the two made their way off the ship, down the dock to the main land the chantry bells rang out. Rhi spotted Kalian waiting for them it the end of the dock.

As they approached, Rhi raised her hand slightly to let Kalian know that they had seen him. "Evening Kali.....Master Winter." Her tone was business yet there was a hint of shyness in it as well. Continuing on, "This is my mother Captain Jessamir Cadash of the Night Kiss."

Jessamir stood next to her daughter. Kalian could definitely tell that they were related. Jessamir stood at the same height as Rhi and the two looked almost exactly alike. The only two notable differences were, Jessamirs hair was white instead of silver/black. And her eyes were a deep blue instead of crimson.

Jessamir extended her hand to Kalian. "It is a pleasure to meet one of my daughters friends. She has told me of your exploits at the mine. I find it very interesting." She gives Kalian the same mischievous grin that Rhi has.

"My ladies Cadash." Kalian took Jessamir's hand firmly in his and bowed deeply, then rose and released her hand. He gave Rhiannon a flirtatious wink before addressing Jessamir with sincere respect. "It is a great pleasure to meet the mother of a woman I hold in high esteem, serah. If I may be so bold, I can see where Rhiannon gets her beauty, and it's my guess her deadly skill and cunning as well."

Jessamir smiled at Kalian as he gave her several compliments. She kept his had just a a tad bit longer than normal. As she did she continuted to look at him as she spoke to Rhi. "Oh daughter, you have caught you a live one here." She left to of Kalians hand and started to walk.

Rhiannon looked at Kalian, shaking her head slightly as he was giving compliments to her as well as her mother. She was lucky that it was dark enough out so that Kalian did not see her blush at her mothers comment.

Kalian followed along behind the two dwarven women. He managed to keep his eyes off Rhiannon's shapely backside and continue scanning the area around them only by reminding himself why he was there. Finally, they came to a stop at the street entrance to a well-kept warehouse at the west end of the wharf district, nearest the hightown area.

The upscale nature of the warehouse surprised Kalian. He was expecting something shady and clandestine, but it seemed whoever the dangerous business associates Jessamir and Rhiannon were meeting, also had legitimate business concerns in Jader. Or they were paying very large bribes.

As they approached the warehouse, Jessamir and Rhiannon were quiet as they walked. Even for dwarves the two were quite stealthy. Jessamir made a motion to come to a stop, not to far from the warehouse. She shifted so that anyone looking from the warehouse area would have a harder time seeing them. Her voice was soft yet had an authority about it. "Be very alert Kalian. Master Gerlach has been known to have a few surprises up his sleeves."

Kalian nodded, eyebrows knit together and his focus now solidly on the safety of the two women rather than Rhiannon's personal charms. Though he was not skilled in stealth, he had a lithe build and could usually avoid falling or tripping. The light leather armor he wore under his cloak had been a gift from his grandmother and though worn, fit him well.

The side door – made of thick, solid hardwood – stood ajar. Kalian presumed it led to the warehouse's business offices. It wasn't until they got closer, he noticed a figure on the door's inner side just before the door swung open and a large human man with close-cropped dark hair, wearing chain mail and a sheathed longsword at his side, gestured for them to come in. "Robertson's lieutenant Acerbi is waiting for you." His voice was gravely and uninterested, as though he was only repeating something he'd been told to say.

As the group made their way to te meeting, Jessamir seemed to slowly became an old woman. She developed a slight limp, her walk became slower, her eyes mere slits as she reached out to take Rhi's arm. When the warehouse came into view both Jessamir and Rhiannon moved with a slow purpose to the side door. The two had noticed that it was ajar, which was expected. The man who opened the door was someone that neither Jessamir nor Rhiannon knew. Rhi gave Kalian a slight raise to her chin, when they passed by the man, as they entered.

Beyond the door the business office was not a separate room, but a desk, bookshelf and cabinets situated in the nearest corner of the open warehouse. Neat stacks of crates lined an open area. Plenty of places for onlookers or even snipers to be hiding.

A young human man, well dressed in medium leather armor with daggers at his side and his pale hair swept back in a ponytail, sat on top of the desk in a relaxed pose. But as if responding to some silent cue, he got to his feet and executed a deep bow with a flourish. "Thank you for coming, my lady Jessamir Cadash. My name is Carlos Acerbi, humble second to Monsieur Gerlach Robertson." His accent was Antivan.

Jessamir moved slowly, like any old woman, to stand just off to the right side of Carlos. Her eyes squinty she looked just to the right of Carlos gave a slight nod when he introduced himself. The she spoke. "Acerbi, seen before. Master Robertson......much samryn (trustworthy) you. You.....bargain for him." Her speech was slow, broken. "Roth (speak) your......terms."

Rhiannon had made her way in, guiding her mother to stand where she was. Patting her mothers arm, leaning in to make sure was alright on her own. Jessamir gave a slight nod. She then back away to her mothers left. Looking to Kalian she made sure he understood to protect her mother at all costs. She then began to scan the warehouse for anything that she might consider a threat.

Jessamir's old-woman act surprised Kalian, and he guessed it wouldn't work on someone who already knew her. Someone like Robertson, whoever he was, but Robertson wasn't here. Kalian played along, taking up a protective position a staff-length away on Jessamir's right, opposite her daughter. He caught Rhiannon's look and gave the slightest of nods, reminding himself that Rhiannon was quite capable of looking after herself and Rhi would be safer not worried about her mother.

"Straight to the point," said Carlos, leaning against the edge of the desk. "No useless flowery speeches and posturing. Gerlach did say I would enjoy working with dwarves. Very well. Monsieur Robertson wishes for you to transport a shipment of wine from Val Royeaux to Jader. It must remain under lock and key and arrive before the third day of the festival. I'm sure you can handle it, the Night's Kiss is known for speed and reliability."

Jessamir shifted slightly, as if she was having a hard time standing. Rhi took a step forward as if to help. Jessamir raised her hand and waved her off. "I fine daul. (daughter)" Her tone was harsh. She coughed a little then continued. "Acerbi. Master Robertson make ah....... how you say......ilith, deal. Wine for feste... party. City of xunder. (secrets) Wear masks. 3 day of party. By 28 day." She took a breath as if all this talking was taking a bite of a toll on her. "Can do. Talk payment, hurnden. Special trip. Higher rates."

Rhiannon stepped back when her mother scolded her. She let a flash of embarrassment cross her face before returning to her stoic stature. This was done so that Carlos might think that Rhi is not as dangerous as she looks. She continued to watch the shadows for anything out of the ordinary. Eyes passing over Kalian, making sure he was watching her mother.

Carlos regarded Jessamir Cadash with some consternation. Why hadn't Gerlach mentioned that she was elderly and infirm? And the daughter… quite pretty, but now that Carlos saw her in person, he thought the rumors about her killing Roxa must be overstated. And the man with them… unimpressive as a fighter, though perhaps that pretty-boy was along for the women's entertainment later.

Standing from his leaning position against the desk, Carlos walked around to the other side and opened a drawer. He lifted out a sheet of paper he place on the desk, followed by a heavy bag of coin plopped on top. "One hundred royals, half now, half on your return. The instructions are there – the address of the new wine seller in Val Royeaux. Notify them you have arrived and the wine will be delivered to your ship. The wine must not be opened or consumed by anyone. Once you return to Jader, the wine will be stored in this warehouse."

Kalian kept his focus on Jessamir, eyes darting to the shadowed areas of the warehouse. As business deals went, so far this seemed tame. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that a wrong move could escalate things fast.

Rhi watched closely as Carlos stood up straight and moved to behind the desk. Her hand slid to her dagger though she did not pull it. When Carlos pulled the bag of gold out, Rhi let a hint of a smile flash across her face. Her eyes then traveled to the paper he placed next to the bag. Without speaking to her mother Rhi said. "Half now, half upon completion. (pause) Step back please. Seven feet." She will wait till Carlos moves back before he mother steps up to the desk.

Jessamir watched as Carlos placed the back off gold and paper on the desk. At this she turns towards to look in the direction of the desk. As if the noise is the reason why she did. When Carlos moves back she waits for a few moments before she moves up to the desk.

Slowly, with the slight limp, Jessamir made her way to the desk. Placing one hand down as if to steady herself, she reached for the paper. Pick it up she held it up and close as if to read it. Though her eyes peered over the paper to watch Carlos. "This place, pick up. Should no problem. (pause, coughs, takes a breath) Leave morning." She folds the paper and stuff it in hers pouch. Then reached for the bag.

Carlos had stepped back from the desk to accommodate the elder Cadash's wishes. He grinned broadly as Jessamir took up the bag of gold. "Monsieur Robertson would have taken care of this errand himself, but he and the Cassabianca are… otherwise engaged." In truth, that little fiasco at the silverite mine had adversely impacted Gerlach's plans. Now, blowback from this job for Isouda would hit the Night's Kiss instead. "I shall look forward to your return from Val Royeaux, my lady Cadash." Carlos grinned.

While Kalian was still on alert, he was also confused. Potential violence had been averted, so far, though his uneasy feeling persisted. What if Jessamir had refused the deal, would they simply leave? He didn't know much about business transactions between ship captains and their clients, though he was looking forward to asking Rhiannon if this was normal… among other alone-time topics. With effort, Kalian kept his attention on the current situation, and waited for Jessamir or Rhiannon to indicate it was time to leave.

Rhiannon noticed at the same time Jessamir did, the grin that crossed Carlos's face, when Jessamir took the bag of gold. Rhi's eyes flashed bright crimson as both daggers that slid from the hidden sheaths on her wrists to her hands. As she moved with a quickness that no one expects a dwarf to have. Rhi was around desk, one dagger ready to throw, the other ready to stab.

Jessamir was no slouch, just as quick, if not quicker than her daughter, she had her own daggers in hand. One ready to throw, the other ready to stab. Her violet colored eyes shown with distrust. Without looking at Kalian, Jessamir spoke. "Jaa, to my back." This was said with no urgency though it was a command. She just hoped Kalian understood it was him she was talking to.

Rhi let a mischievously wicked grin crossed her face as she looked at Carlos. Crimson eyes focused on his eyes as she spoke. "I am not sure what to think of you. This seems like a proper arrangement, yet when the gold was picked up, there was a jargh grin that crossed your face. Now this could mean one of two things. Either you are an jargh, and know no better. Or you are a calass, untrustworthy person." She shifted slightly, making sure he noticed it, so that she could not just cover him but anyone else that might be there. "You tell me, which one are you. An jargh, or a calass."

Kalian responded to Jessamir's command without hesitation. He drew his staff and cast barrier on Jessamir, Rhiannon, and himself as he moved closer to Rhiannon's mother. At the same time, he heard a rustling and shifting from behind crates, and saw two crossbow bolts pointed at them, from two directions in the room. The guard from the door stepped inside also, his sword drawn. Kalian was pretty sure that if it came to it, his barrier could deflect a crossbow bolt.

Carlos shrugged casually, though nervous sweat trickled down his back, and silently he thanked the Maker he'd listened when Gerlach said the two dwarves were dangerous. "Considering this change in circumstance, perhaps I am a fool for offering this opportunity to you, my lady."

Kalian spoke up then, about a strange detail the Antivan had mentioned. "Please excuse my ignorance, Monsieur Acerbi, but I would like to ask… Would it not be standard practice to sample the wine to verify its quality?"

Carlos' attention shifted to the human… an apostate, it would seem. interesting. "The quality of the wine is without question, and it is quite simply too expensive to be wasted." His attention returned to Jessamir. "My ladies Cadash, if you aren't interested in this job, then leave the gold and walk away. I'll find another ship."

Both Rhi and Jessamir listened to as Carlos spoke. Then Kalian asked a question. It was a good question, and in most cases the wine would be tested before transport. Still it wasn't the issue. It was his grin that bothered both Dwarven women.

"It is not the task that bothers myself or my mother. It is the way you grinned when she took the money. Something struck me that there is more to this than a simple pick up and delivery." She again shifted slightly to make sure that her knife would find purchase if she threw it. Her tone was cold and filled with a questioning demand. "So is there more to this transaction? If so tell us now. If not, then convince us so."

Jessamir held her daggers in ready, yet made sure to make sure that Carlos and the other one, see her glancing at the bag of gold.

The grin on Carlos' face was gone, replaced by a frown and not a small amount of fear. "When Monsieur Robertson directed me to arrange for this pickup and delivery, he asked for the Night's Kiss specifically. If you accept the job, then my boss will be pleased, and I won't have to waste time finding another ship. It was my understanding you are legitimate businesswomen. Is this how you usually conduct business – by threatening your clients because you don't like them to smile?" Carlos gave a dramatic huff, trying to pretend he wasn't afraid.

Kalian was confused by this turn of events. If this Antivan man hadn't been surrounded by guards, would Rhiannon and her mother just kill him and take the gold? Even though it looked that way… No. He was sure Rhiannon wouldn't do that. He thought of another question that might shed light on the situation. "Who ordered the wine? Who is it for?"

Carlos' gaze shifted once again to the apostate, and for a moment he considered lying, then decided there was no downside in telling the truth. "The Chantry. The wine is to be stored here in the warehouse and served at the Summerday feast in honor of the Revered Mother."

Rhi glances at her mother then back to Carlos. A wicked smile crossed her face as both her and her mother lowered their daggers. Jessamir bent down and picked up the bag of gold.

"Alright. Our business here is done. Let Master Robertson know that the Night's Kiss will get the job done." Putting her daggers away, loosely, so if she does need them they are readily available. She then reaches into one of her pouches and pulls out her flask, opens it, takes a swig and puts it on the table. "You have barak. backbone. That is good. Had to make sure you were not trying play us." She motions to the flask. "Come, drink." She glances at Kalian though, hoping he understood to stay alert.

Kalian relaxed slightly at Jessamir's pronouncement, but if anything he was more alert and aware of his surroundings. One of the crossbowmen hissed an exhale, and the other shifted his stance and rolled his shoulders.

Carlos regarded the flask with trepidation. He'd forgotten this custom that some dwarves and a few humans indulged in – a show of trust and sealing a deal, as he recalled. He picked up the flask and steeled himself to taste something awful. He tipped back the flask and took an obligatory sip, then tipped it back again for a swig. "Huh. Not bad. A pleasure doing business with you, my ladies," said Carlos, placing the flask back on the table.

Kalian glanced first at Jessamir, then Rhiannon, and raised an eyebrow as if to ask, time to go?.

Rhi gave Carlos a grin. "Yes, it is a pleasure doing business with you as well." She replied as she took her flask back. She seen Kalian give her that look. She gave him a slight nod. "Mother, I say that we go so you can set sail within the hour."

Jessamir had taken a drink out of her own flask when Carlos took his swig from Rhi's. "Yes daughter. We will go." She looked to Carlos and gave him a nod before she turned to leave.

Kalian recast his energy barrier around Rhiannon, Jessamir, and himself as they moved toward the exit. He walked backwards, careful not to trip, until he was sure they were out of the crossbowmen's line-of-sight, then hurried to follow the two women through the outer door.

Jessamir followed Rhi out the door, as she did she stayed close to Kalian. Once outside she made sure that the gold was stashed away, looked to Rhi then to Kalian. "I still do not like this but an agreement is on agreement. The Cadash and the Night's Kiss always honor their agreements." As her eyes focused on Kalian she gave him a wicked grin. He could see where Rhi gets hers from. "You did good. My daughter made an excellent choice." She gave Kalian a quick look up and down. "Very good choice." Her tone was excited and had a hint of sultriness in it.

Rhi lead the way out. Once clear of the area she looked at both her mother and Kalian. She grinned at her mothers compliment. She gave a nod of satisfaction then gave Kalian a very warm and wicked grin. "Yes, you did great in there." She moved to walk close to Kalian. Her hand reaching out to take his. She looked to her mother and gave a nod. "Once you are safe aboard mother, Kalian and I....." She glanced at Kalian and gave him a wink.

Kalian squirmed slightly under Jessamir's appraising gaze. She was a beautiful woman, an inheritance she had obviously shared with her lovely daughter. But she was Rhiannon's mother, and it was a little disconcerting. Luckily for him, it seemed that Jessamir approved of him, and even approved of certain… recreational activities… he hoped to indulge in with her daughter. Kalian grinned back at Rhiannon and squeezed her hand. "I am at your service, my lady."

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OOC: jargh - idiot, joker; calass - thief, miscreant, untrustworthy person

 

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