The knock at his cabin's door interrupted lord Dedran's thoughts, but he slipped the missive he'd been reading back into its satchel before looking up. He tucked the bundle under the netting holding the rest of his gear, and then stood and faced the door.
"Come in," he called out gruffly, and the door swung inwards.
Raekar poked his head through the open portal, then shuffled wearily into the cabin. "Everyone is accounted for," the wizard said. "Either dead, or on board ship. My scrying can't find anyone else."
Dedran shook his head. "Not everyone. The pirate vessel that chased us here is gone, and with no one alive unaccounted for that can only mean the damned thing is haunted now."
Raekar sighed and drew the door shut behind himself. "True...but the point is, it's gone. We're safe enough to spend another day or two here."
"No."
Raekar winced at the flat refusal, but Dedran kept his gaze level and unflinching. "Think of the wealth we're leaving behind," the wizard protested. "The historical artifacts, the-"
"No," Dedran repeated, interrupting Raekar's plea. "I let you keep your apprentices busy looting the place, but I won't spare the time for you to comb over the castle in fine."
Raekar sighed. "It's my ship," he pointed out morosely. It wasn't an effort to persuade: Dedran could see the wizard knew he wouldn't win. He just wanted a point. "Shouldn't I be the one to make these decisions?"
Dedran snorted. "Maybe, but the fact is, the men won't stand for it. Try to make them stay, and you'll just be left behind. Besides, we haven't the supplies for it."
"What? We were fully stocked when we departed," Raekar protested. "I always insist captain Gestar have cook replenish the larder whenever we make port."
"It seems that during your ship's brief time in the hands of Vessadial's minions, they tore apart the majority of our holds, including the larder. Weren't your own rooms ransacked?"
Raekar shook his head. "I keep my room warded." He sagged back against the door. "So, how bad is the damage?"
"Very. I've already put a guard on what's left of the provender, and have the captain charting a course to the nearest inhabited island on our maps. Unfortunately, they're a little vague about this area - but then, we know no one's settled near here, regardless, due to the undead."
"True. But on the other hand, the lich's presence means passing through these waters should mean no more pirates, right? We may have met one coming in, but if it weren't for the storm, we wouldn't be here - and it's a good bet there'll be no one in our way for the rest of the voyage, if we go through the 'cursed' waters."
Dedran grunted. "I sincerely hope so." He frowned and mentally went over a few concerns before lighting on one that deserved Raekar's attention. "Now, if everyone's accounted for, you'd better see about getting your elf holed up."
Raekar's eyebrows rose in curiosity and Dedran shook his head.
"There's a reason father appointed me his envoy instead of you," the knight told his older brother. "You haven't a way with people. After what they've been through - and now going on partial rations - I don't think anybody wants to be reminded of this place more than necessary. Frightened, hungry, angry men - and one of the recent 'enemy' among them? I don't want anything getting ugly, so keep her out of their sight and off everyone's minds."
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