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Markus had shimmied his way up the mainmast, hanging off the left side, clinging to the web of ropes and surveying the battle they would engage in within mere minutes. There was an ease about how he took the situation that both unnerved and encouraged the men scrambling below. He wore a grin that by all accounts shouldn't be there, but Calliope would be able to see his eyes. He looked almost lustful, though unlike the base desire of sex that often supersede the mind, he was was sharp as a razor's edge.

"Sketti! Load the payload!" Markus ordered. Sketti repeated him and drove on Sron and Halvar to lift the miniature barrel into the Seige Ballista, hauling it on as gently as they could and cranking the coiled ropes back to realign and set ready the weapon once more. Sketti's smile was almost as mad as Markus', and when the payload was loaded he whipped the two burly crew members to head to the middeck. "Off with ye, ye dogs!"

Halvar looked at the canine-like Sron, and then at himself. The Norgardian not used to such terms. "I'm not a dog."

The two hustled over to the main rope on the stern as Markus directed from above with his sword, ordering them to stay there and await his call. The crew was beyond nervous. It was in the air of the ship, palpable as the sea around them. They were miles from shore and about to engage in six to one odds, and their Captain seemed to pay it little mind. "Hold!" he cried to them, keeping everyone at their stations.

Calliope gazed up at Markus, looking at him like he was mad. Recalling he was some vagabond she had met in the dungeons! On the crow's nest, Jax the Elf, normally jovial and carefree, looked a few paces below him at the Captain. "Orders, Captain?" he asked shakily. He wielded a longbow made of Caelic yew, laminated with various bits of the blessed trees that twirled around in overlapping colors of brown and tan.

"The second ship at the portbow." Markus said to him, quiet enough to where only he and whoever bothered to listen could hear. "You find the Captain and kill him."

"Aye sir!"

"Captain!?" Phil called from below. Sketti and Markus were of a like mind here, both holding for the opportune moment. Likewise the enemy ships would be curious as to their next move, perhaps even contemplating the Weathered Witch was surrendering. Only the crashing waves and the distant shouts on the other ships were audible as Markus and Sketti held the crew for a few more paces...

"Fire!" Markus ordered, Sketti following suit and releasing the payload on the Ballista. The Dwarves were famous for their nightvision, even more than Elves, but even if he couldn't see any particular person, all he needed to do was hit the leading ship. The powerful cables of the weapon snapped forward and the projectile was launched, sailing through the air and impacing on the aft of the front ship. Markus, without the aid of a railing to block the wind, could feel the heat on his face when the payload exploded into flames and engulfed the ship. It was as if Satan himself had turned the sea on fire.

"Starboard!" Markus ordered. "Pull!"

Sron and Halvar pulled on the rope with all of their might, and the Weathered Witch began to turn to the right, bypassing the ship that now was encumbered with flames and bodies. The payload was not designed to defeat a crew or destroy a ship, but leave it so badly charred they would be put out of a fight. Now their aft side was covered by a burning vessel, and their starboard had an enemy only a dozen paces away.

"Fire the guns!"

"Give them hell!"

The broadside from both were defeaning, tearing chunks into the ships as the powder smoke billowed and overran the top of the deck as certainly as the fire did on the flame-occupied Galley. Markus' crew might not be well trained, but the guns from the keep had bolstered their arsenal enough to make the difference. They tore through the enemy's hull and shattered their resolve in two volleys. Even the aft mast was broken by a well aimed cannon ball, and whoever occupied the decks above the gun deck would have been hard pressed to survive. The Weathered Witch slowly passed them, until a Thunderbolt from another ship ripped into the ship, blasting Sketti and sending the Dwarf flying back into the mast, unconscious.


If any other of the crew had been hit, they would be dead. But Dwarves are resilient to magic, Perhaps Calliope could cripple the wizard, and then maybe they could make for open water...but Markus doubted it.
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The Witch heeled to the wind as it rushed past the shattered corsair. Broken bodies lay in piles on the deck as the ship fell off the wind and wallowed. Screams and moan rose from the ship as they drew passed and Calliope could see men quilled with splinters as long as her arm as they thrashed in their death struggles. Another bolt of lighting leaped from the pursing ship and Calliope snapped a counter spell, detonating the blast well short of its mark. The galleries behind them were gaining despite the greater spread of canvas the Weather Witch could boast. Their lateen yards were not the best choice, but the rowers more than made up the difference. While the crewmen would eventually tire that would be well after they had closed with their prey. Puffs of smoke erupted from the bows of the fleeing vessels and a monet later great jets of spray rose up just behind the fleeing pirate vessel as heavy shot splashed down about them.

Calliope hurled bolts of black fire back at their pursuers, but the mage following them was more experience than she and manage to blot out her efforts in a fizzle of arcane power. She lashed out again fueling the spell with her hate and frustration but they merely evaporated as her opponent countered her with her own arts. The medallion at her breast pulsed and throbbed filling her with the desire to rend and tear and burn but offering her now practical method to achieve such viceral satisfaction. Instead she began to recite a spell from the codex, the alien words spilling from her lips in a liquid flow that was unnerving to see. Above them clouds began to thicken and darken like congealing blood. Calliope’s vision dimmed and again she found herself in the strange grey interstices she always glimpsed when she used the strange and alien magics in the books cursed pages. This time though something was different. The menacing presence was still there, just out of sight behind the walls of fog, but there was something else, dark and serpentine that wove its way through the darkness.

Bold, little wyrm, a voice sounded in her head.

The magic of the black heavens is a dangerous toy…

Calliope tried to keep her concentration on the spell she was incanting in the real world but her mind seemed to be composed of thick panes of glass and the arcane formula slipped and slid. Somehow she knew she was second from disaster and she worked desperately to keep her concentration.

Back in the real world streams of blood were rising from the shattered galley, flying up into the gathering maelstrom in a perverse negation of natural rain. Where Calliope stood on the deck a circle of black shadow flowed, encircling the mage like a ward circle. Another thunderbolt struck the tafrail, showering splinters that burst into smoke as they touched the edge of the circle and pepering Markus with flaming debris.

Let me show you, before the monarch of this place takes you

Something dark and winged flashed out of the clouds like a inverse lightning. Calliope saw the deck and the enemy mage rushing up at her, a feeling of wild exultation in her heart. A half mile away she could see herself standing on the poop of the Weather Witch, chanting while her eyes stared sightlessly. She could see each of the crew members with far greater clarity than she could have with her own eyes. She could feel the heat of their bodies, smell the stink of their sweat, but all was meaningless compared to the mad thrill of the dive. Her wings spread at the last moment and her talons tore at the screaming mage. The man held up his hands as though to ward her off, his white robes flapping in the tumult of her decent. Claws of shadow tore into him and he screamed in agony before staggering back, dead without a mark on his body. Calliope rushed back up into the clouds and suddenly she was standing on the deck of the Witch again, the last syllables of the spell rolling off her tongue.

“What in the seven hells!” Markus demanded. In her memory Calliope could see the black winged shadow fall like a lance from the sky striking the enemy mage dead. To others it had appeared that way, but she had been the thing which swept down upon the luckless mage. The clouds roiled and swirled above her and the last syllable of the spell tumbled from her lips. The clouds fell. In an instant the sea was carpeted with fog so thick that she couldn’t see Markus five feet away. The crew yelled in panic.

“Quiet!” Markus roared and the ship fell silent save for the snap of the rigging and the slap of waves against the hull. Behind them came hollow booms of cannon. A geyser of water shot up behind them, close enough that it showered Calliope and Markus with its plume. Another spout rose ahead of the ship and with a shriek of splintering timbers one of the balls crashed down on the deck, tossing one of the unmanned cannons back into the waist. Markus put the wheel over several points, veering the Witch off the last course the enemy had been able to see. Behind them Calliope could hear the hammer of the drums urging the rowers forward. They were still badly outnumbered, but perhaps they could lose the enemy in the magical fog.

Calliope’s lungs burned and she felt her knees wobble from the effort of the spell, catching onto the railing so that she didn’t fall. The amulet at her breast burned like fire against her skin, but it wasn’t the unpleasant sensation it should have been. No one in the crew could see her through the fog, but she forced herself to remain standing, striving to appear calm and in control
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Jax leaned over the crow's nest, though he could see no one and no one could see him. He yelled despite it though. "There's a fog Capt'n!"

If he could see Markus, he'd see the mercenary swordsman rolling his eyes. He did just say to be quiet. He supposed the lookout wasn't certain if the fog effected them on the deck or just at his elevation. Markus called up as quietly as he dared. "I know, shut up!" with his hands cupped to his mouth. Due to the low light of the day even if there was no fog, it was far from comfortable. In fact, it was probably the closest thing to a waking nightmare Markus had ever experienced. The roiling cloud of wet fog seemed to threaten all of his senses, not just his sight.

"Captain?" he heard to his right, and Markus spun. It sounded like his first mate. He crept forward through the fog, keeping his sword point away from his front to keep it from poking the woman. "Calli?" he whispered into the miasma, his entire body focused on what was in front of him. As her face came into view, she had on a smirk despite her obvious state, which seemed a strange mixture of concupiscent exhaustion.

"So we're using nicknames now?" she asked.

He sheathed his sword. "I don't make you call me Captain, now do I? Even though I probably should." he said, amused.

"I'm not getting into trouble, am I?" she asked slyly. There was a strange pulse to her, somehow. As if she had another's energy that gave her far more vitality than a normal woman would have, even as one as skillful in enchantments as she. The ex-merc was about to reply when an immense shadow came into view not two paces away. At first Markus thought it was a whale surfacing, but a split second later, he saw it was one of the Blooded Axe ships about to collide with the Weathered Witch!

The ship hit them hard, sending Calliope off of her feet to hit Markus, who, despite catching her, was sent to the floor of the deck. Calliope would lift her head up to notice she was straddling Markus, and his hands were around her upperback and thigh. They were interrupted yet again, however, when another object appeared behind them through the fog. Only this was far more humanoid, and yet still immense. Markus thanked the Gods he still had his wits about him. "I think you have a knack for trouble." Markus said as she looked behind her to see the danger.

They both rolled away, Markus to the left and Calliope to the right. Where they had just been, a wooden club with metal studs in it the size of a man splintered the thick planks of the deck. The Ogre roared in frustration. Its body was proportioned like a thick man, with yellow-tan skin, and stunted, primitive features within a body that was fully ten feet tall and six feet wide at the stomach. It wore a garb of roughly stitched together trousers and a bandana caked in what Calliope and Markus sincerely hoped was dried mud.

"Don't worry, I do too." Markus said, finishing the earlier statement and taking out his sword. The blow of the club had dissipated the immediate fog, though their surroundings were still thickly obscured other than the flashes and cries of steel on steel that had erupted upon the ship. Shouting for all hands to the weapons would likely be redundant.
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Calliope stumbled back as the troll swung its massive fist into the wheel, showering the foggy darkness with splintered timber. Incanting quickly she wove a sphere of silence around the vessel, abruptly cutting off sound that might pass to other ships questing for them in the fog. Calliope didn’t think there were other mages out there but she didn’t want to do anything further to give away their position. Instead she drew her own slender blade and thrust at the back of the trolls leg as it focused on tearing Markus limb from limb. The sharp steel turned on the things tough leathery skin, flexing the thing steel of the blade.

Cursing she turned to find a bill hook or a firelock in time to see an Arad stumble through the magical fog. He was naked from the waist up and clutched a scimitar that looked as though it weighed as much as she did. Without hesitation she lunged at the man, her light weapon too quick for the corsair, caught him in the right side. He stumbled back, blood bubbling from his lips. The rapier point opened his throat and send him tumbling over the rail into the water between the two ships. By their cries more corsairs were swarming onto the deck. She could hear Sketti roaring down in the waist and could hear the whistle thunk of his axe as it chopped through something meaty.

The troll howled in rage and pain as Markus struck home, though even that was hard to make out in the gloom. Another corsair stumbled out of the mist but this one was clutching a wound in his chest, dying from a pistol shot. Calliope seized one of the pike like boat hooks and turned to find Markus on the trolls back, stabbing down between its shoulder blades while the thing twisted its ape like arms to try and tear him free. Putting her slight weight behind it she thrust the boat hook into the knotted muscles and tendons of its left shoulder and was rewarded with a howl of pain. It pivoted to swat her but she stepped back, letting the hook, still lodged in the things shoulder swing free. Blood was pouring down its back from where Markus was chopping at it. She knew that fire was the best thing for trolls but a fire on a ship at sea was at least as deadly to the crew as it would be to the beat.

A freak gust of wind cleared enough of the fog that she could glimpse the enemy ship snugged up to them with grappling lines. Set into the railing were a number of small swivel guns. Glancing about she seized a loose line and leaped fluttering out over the gap where the ships tumbled home and landing on the deck. Most of the crew were away now but a few startled pirates looked up in shock as she landed cat like on the deck.

The deck of the enemy galley was a narrow walkway that ringed a large open waist in which two banks of oarsmen could be seated. The fog was too thick for Calliope to see how many of the crew were still at their posts. She was in the process of prying up the swivel gun when a sudden rush of air warned her and she pivoted aside as a turbaned man with a heavy scimitar rushed at her out of the gloom. She ducked under the blow, driving her shoulder up into the man's bulging stomach, they both went down in a tangle of limbs and prying fingers. Calliopes sharp fingernails raked the mans neck bloody, but he outwiehed her by a hundred pounts and he rolled atop of her pinning her to the deck. In desperation she grabbed for the nearest object and her hand closed around a two pound ball for one of the swivels. The mans fat fingers closed around her throat and he howled with triump a moment before the steel ball caved in the side of his skull and he slumped to the side, oozing blood from his nose and babbling stupidly. Gasping for air Calliope pulled herself to her feet and grabbed the fallen scimitar, finishing the man off with a quick thrust to the heart. With the heavy blade in hand she began to work her way aft, severing each of the grappling lines with a swipe of the heavy blade. The enemy corsair was pulling away from the Witch as the cabled tethering the ships were cut and timbers and ropes creaked under the strain.

“Wait!” called a voice from behind her and Calliope spun, scimitar gripped in both hands. Behind her was one of the small forward masts that the ship could use to hoist a spanker if she needed to tack hard. Affixed to the mast from a rusting metal hook was an iron cage a little bigger than a man. Inside of the cage was a dusky skinned man of Arad descent. He was dressed in what had once been fine silks, but the fabric was soiled with blood, salt and the man's own waste. His face was badly beaten but even so he had the sharp aquiline features of Arad nobility.

“Take me with you, I can pay my weight in gold!” he begged in a thick Arad accent. Calliope’s only reply was to swing her scimitar at the lock that held the door shut. It was poorly crafted and split like timber as the heavy steel blade cut it free with a shower of sparks. The fellow tried to jump free but his limbs were obviously atrophied from long imprisonment in his tiny cage and he collapsed face first onto the deck. Calliope hauled him to his feet and tried to ignore the stink. The remaining boarding lines were giving way with a series of musical twangs as the tension on each rope became too much to hold. Rushing to the aft she grabbed one of the lines not yet pulled taut and tied it around the prisoners silken girdle. Another Corsair rushed her and she split his head open with the Scimitar, abandoning the blade as it lodged in his skull. In a final act of pique she kicked over a bag of powder that had been bought for one of the cannons, spilling the grey powder over the coiled cordage and sail cloth, then whispered a word. Fire sprang up in a sheet, engulfing powder and cord in a moment. The prisoner screamed but Calliope had already severed the line, it jerked them both into empty air as the Witch staggered free of her attacker, the fire already spreading over the doomed corsairs decks.

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Gunshots echoed in the deep. The mist held shapes, and it was often far too late to tell if it was an ally or foe before the blade pierced your side. The fog was lifting, but all too slowly as the blood began to cause the deck to become slick and stained. An eerie howl shot out of the darkness, indicating that Sron had found a kill during the calamity, though it was drowned out by the screams of the dying.

Markus had nearly run into the back of a bare chested Rasheek, ebony skin outlined in metal studs that ran from his lower back to the bridge of his nose, with a scimitar the bulk of a shield that he moved with haunting ease. Markus backpedaled and whipped his sword across to gain distance as he took measure of his foe, who leaped back with an agile gait that spoke of many years upon the sea. "Brabandos will take you to de Capten!" he roared.

The scimitar was thrust through the fog and nearly gave Markus a push cut, who retaliated by knocking the blade up high to gain room for a counter, though his foe was no amateur and pulled back to strike again before Markus could run him through. It looked like this battle would take longer than he thought, until the Rasheek's chest exploded from behind as a black powder weapon discharged. The man fell to his knees, and blood began to pool out of his mouth before he hit the deck heavily. Sketti stood behind him, smoking blunderbuss in his hand.

Suddenly a loud twang could be heard, and a slight weightlessness to the weathered witch.

"What in the blazes?" Sketti grumbled, before Calliope and a shit covered man in rags fell out of the smog and onto the burly Dwarf, nearly breaking the deck and sending them through the next level. Nearly.

The fog would clear as the Weathered Witch slowly sailed out of the entrenchment of foes, revealing the carnage that had been wrought upon them. Markus helped Calliope up, checking her eyes and arm to make sure she was still able to stand despite her protests. Sketti stood up next, pushing the dirt laden prisoner off of him, who had subsequently been knocked out from the fall. "We will need him, trust me." Calliope said, as she blew some of her hair out of her vision.

Markus gave a nod, though his face went from stern to severe when he looked at the deck of the ship. A dead ogre, along with over a dozen Arad men were slain. Though they had not come out without casualties. The clear air revealed Corsica slain, cut and stabbed though surrounded by five dead Corsairs. And Phil held the body of Will, who had died fighting, having killed an Arad as the Arad killed him in a double thrust.

The east wind blew, bringing with it the stench of death. A stench that would likely follow them, Markus knew. He looked toward the rising sun, and behind them, a Galley capsized in their wake, as the surviving two ships fled from the scene.


The next day...

"I trust you, but the men are getting skeptical." Markus said to Calliope as they walked through the lower decks, having just spoken to a few members of the crew on how their 'guest' was doing. Phil and Bill were in the mess hall with Halvar, eating what rations they had left, making sure to leave the most 'prime cuts' for Achmed, the supposed Prince of Dalib Shara.

"I know wealth when I see it," Calliope replied, testily. "He might have been covered in shit, and he might act like a little shit, but he is of noble blood." She was mature enough to know Markus was not questioning her, but giving her fair warning and concern should this turn out to be a fool's errand. The battle had done wonders for Markus' credibility as Captain. None of them had expected to survive, and yet they had.

Though Calliope had become even more of a subject of scrutiny after the excitement had died down. They had buried their dead in the sea, and they still grieved for comrades lost. And as they did so, they needed something to aim their ire at. Calliope was the best fit. Her witching had scared them, when the shadow dragon had engulfed the enemy mage. What's more, there were rumors she had led them into the trap, or that she whispered into Markus' ear and he obeyed. The ex-merc had grown to enjoy Calliope over the time they've known each other, but he did well not to meet with her in private unless absolutely necessary (or late at night) to dispell the notion there was an enchantment over him.

Their new guest had not helped either. At first, when he awoke, he was congenial and very happy. He claimed to be impressed beyond imagining, and that such a battle against the odds had never happened since Sayrahed the Sailor in the age of myth. However, he soon began to lose his rose colored glasses, and demanded a bath. A bath in the drinking water, something that Markus agreed to once Callipe had confided into him who he was. The next day, the prince had been an insufferable lout, and both Markus and Calliope, along with the rest of the crew wished to run him through with their blades.

Markus and Calliope turned the corner, the rakish swordsman gave a chuckle. "You know I always heard it was good to have friends in high places. Didn't know it would take this long to cash on it, though."

"Am I not a friend in high places?"

"Yeah, but unlike Achmed I see no signs of you not being hard to handle." Markus said with a smirk, stopping at the door to her quarters. She gave a giggle that to others would likely sound sinister.

"Well, you've never had a friend like me." She said cryptically, and disappeared into her room. Markus was amused, but he needed to continue with the orders of the day. Stepping out onto the deck, the day was windy with light clouds to the south, but it was hot and humid as all hell. He heard Jax call from above.

"Land ho!" the half elf cried.

Markus and Jim, who had been up on deck with him, headed over to the southern edge of the deck to overlook the sight of the shoreline. Even at this distance, the city was visible. Curved spires overtook the sky like smooth, bloated mushrooms surrounded by pillars and vast plazas that were centered upon exotic gardens behind the great walls of the High section. It was only a fraction of the city however, and the disparity of wealth was apparent.

If one were to take Calaverde's population and multiply it tenfold, they would not be able to fill the streets of the vast shantytown that surrounded the inner gates. Buildings of clay, sand, and stone looked like vast honeycombs or rock formations, though the carved nature of them spoke of human work. Below them, wooden shacks and tarps were raised like an immense plain of poverty. The poor and destitute wailed to Hayashim for mercy, or to one another for some boon. And yet somehow, merchants made killings in the streets just as the thieves guilds did. Markus saw a few larger buildings, nondescript and boarded within the poorer section of the city, and he knew what resided in their. Pashas of criminal organizations thrives within, living nearly as opulently as the Sultan likely did in his grand Palace.

"By the Gods..." Jim breathed.

"No," Markus said as he looked at the teeming masses who could barely afford the clothes on their back. "This is man's fault."
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The Witch swept toward the coast on a soldiers wind. It was a stroke of good fortune, for the winds off the desert coasts were notoriously fickle. Many a ship had been pinned up against the arid rocky coast to fight the wind for hours to keep off the rocks, or trust the dubious sandy bottom to hold a storm anchor until the winds shifted again. The great harbor of Dalib Sahara yawned before them, the natural points of stone had been expanded with vast moles of of roughly cut sandstone. Here and there the thirty foot wide arms bulged with platforms like jewels on a string. Each bulge housed a weapons platform manned by two or three bored looking guards in turbans and archaic looking chain mail lounged. Most of the weapons looked old and in poor repair, though if even a fraction of them were functional then attacking the port was a chancy proposition. Whether time, lack of interest or graft had weakened the defences didn’t really matter, the fickle winds were a better defence than man could devise.

Inside the harbor dozens of ships were anchored. Tall square rigged ships from Vrettonia, massive teak built galleons with huge lateen rigs from Punt, and the distant semi mythical trading kingdoms in Sylon’ika and Kushapti. There were a pack of corsair galleys with their banked oars and large forward mounted bombards, trader or raider depending only on how the captain calculated the odds, and how far from port they got. Smaller craft of all description moved between them, loading and unloading cargo, and peddling local goods. If the arrival of the Witch was even noticed it wasn’t visible as they swept towards the break waters. A disreputable looking galley began to pull out towards the witch. A man in ornate but dirty robes stood on the prow yelling in Arad through a bras speaking trumpet that made the words attenuated and basso.

Before Markus could speak Achmed cupped his hands and began to yell in Arad back. The conversation went back and forth for several minutes and it grew increasingly irrate as it went on. Calliope, who spoke Arad well enough to get by snickered.

“What is he saying?” Jim who was on his knees scrubbing the deck asked, looking around in eager excitement. Calliope cleared her throat.

“The price says that if this camel turd does not turn around and inform his lord and father that he has returned, that the vultures will feast on his genitals while he lives, that he will be strung up with his own guts, that his asshole will be seared with red hot…”

“I think we get the gist,” Markus said with an amused grin at Jim’s widening eyes. The steersman in the approaching galley was apparently also getting the gist and began yelling and gesticulating back over his shoulder. The disreputable little vessel turned a slow circle and shot of back towards the harbor. Achmed folded his arms in satisfaction.

“How is it that the land support so many people?” Jim asked as they swept past the breakwater. Achmed had directed them to a long wooden pier near the center of the harbor. Already men in gold chased armor with veils of chainmail and rich silk sashes had gathered. As Calliope had suspected Achmed must have been the real deal, otherwise the men gathered on the pier would function as executioners as easily as an honor guard. Jim’s question was a fair one, the hills behind the city were of sear rock and scarcely a thing grew upon them. Heat shimmered up in waves, that danced like witch fire on the air.

“There is a great spring that rises at the base of the hills, it feeds a short river that doesn't quite reach the sea, it's all diverted to canals,” Calliope explained, pointing to the green fringes where palm and date trees grew along the boulevards and greenery dotted the room.

“All of the cities of the coast have a spring like it,” Calliope went on, the attention of the crew and even Achmed focused on her as she spoke.

“Legend has it that each spring erupts from a spot where Hayashim conceived a son,” Calliope went on, oblivious to her audience.

“Do you think it’s true?” Jim asked in breathless wonder. Calliope snickered.

“I doubt it, if Hayashim was like any other priest i’ve met there would be rivers spurting out of every brothel and knocking shop from her to Poitan.” The remark bought a gale of laughter from the crew and bought a flush to Achmed’s sun burned face.

“Best keep such thoughts to yourself once we reach the shore lad,” Markus declared in a voice that was loud enough to carry to the whole crew.

“They take such things seriously in Arad Lind.”

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Trumpets greeted them as they landed on the docks. Seagulls glided in the breeze, for once being the most populous thing upon the dockyard now that the normal citizens had been evacuated to make way for Prince Achmed. He did not change from his cleaned but haggard garb, though a servant rushed over to don a pointed sarik upon his noble head. Behind him, guards in lamellar armor with sheathed scimitars stood in line, flanked by dozens upon dozens of what Markus could not tell between servants or slaves.

With a click of his tongue, Achmed gestured for Markus' crew to remain upon the ship, which didn't immediately register with the crew. Once Sketti scoffed, Markus motioned for them to follow what he said and stay with the ship. He gave a subtle wink to the disappointed faces, indicating he'd see them rewarded, and both Calliope and Markus would step off and onto the cleared docks. Even now, the sun baked the rock and timber they stood upon.

Another set of trumpets sounded, and then something bellowed. A bestial sound, though very imitative of the trumpets the slaves used. Markus and Calliope would see a massive beast, twice the height of a man at the shoulder and easily twenty times a man's weight trotting towards them with a resplendent carpet upon its back, and a small hut with two chairs. It almost seemed like it was a beast from another world. It had two massive tusks swirling out of its face, and a trunk that slithered like a snake, as if it had a mind of its own. Markus had heard of the exotic 'Elephant' before, but he had never seen one. Behind were creatures just as strange, though he had seen their like before. Three camels were strutting down the sand infested streets like performers who danced to a very slow, mellow beat.

Two eunuchs in nothing but loin wraps walked the beasts, their sun blackened skin shining in the intense light, their eyes dead and focused, as if they were broken as infants to serve their betters. They approached almost mechanically, and then graciously bowed to the Prince. Or it seemed as if they did, until Achmed stood upon their backs to mount the elephant. Once inside, he waved with boths hands. "Come, come! The Lady Calliope, please join me, yes?" he asked her. One eunuch rose, and took the reins of a camel, the biggest with a golden saddle, bringing it to Markus.

"Well, at least I get an honorable mention," he deadpanned, mounting it and taking the reins. He gained control of it as soon as the Elephant turned, with Soldiers all spinning and beginning to march in unison. Their feet tramped the ground as loudly as the Elephant's, though it would soon be drowned out by the milling throng of commoners in the streets that were kept back by even further guardsmen.

Up close, Markus could see the men and women, exotic and darkened, though obscured in mostly rags, watched in awe at their princes return. Still others seemed better off, in curious looking blue and purple robes, some even having guards of their own. Women stood upon the balconies and rooftops, calling for the Prince's hand in marriage. Some even took off their tops and pressed their breasts together to draw the eye. Kids simply waved, and old men displayed weaves of silk, hoping the Prince or his guests would stop to buy.

Even during such a procession, some entertainers still worked. A man swallowed swords, his body so bony and thin Markus was surprised the swords could even fit within him, but he performed without pause. Another man in a red and white garb of satin played a flute as a voluptuous beauty coiled and uncoiled a massive boa constrictor across her scantily clad form seductively. Markus was both taken aback by the odd culture, yet also painfully aware that a man in his position could benefit greatly for even docking here, much less being a guest of the Sultan's Son.
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Although Calliope congratulated herself that she had been right about Achmed, she also kicked herself for not having anticipated the need for more formal clothing. Nothing irritated her more than being underdressed. Fortunately the prince was in much the same position as her, dressed as he was in a set of clothing scrounged from Markus. One of the servants who accompanied the elephant quickly dressed the prince in a silk robe, draping it over the simple pirate clothing before winding a turban around his forehead and fastening it with a ruby the size of a thumbnail, set into a gold band.

They moved through the city with considerable fanfare. Ahead of them the guards moved in an armored wedge, beating aside those who moved too slowly for their liking. The trumpets blared as they moved into a great open air bazzar where men and women of a dozen races bartered and traded. Every imaginable good appeared to be for sale. Fruit, carpets, brass, wonderous instruments, maps, swords and armor, arcana, perfume and a thousand other things beside. They were crammed into booths of canvas or wood, or simply piled in squares marked out by the flagstones. Smoke rose from brazzers where meat was being roasted, pungent spices assailed her from small eateries and cook shops. Suddenly she wanted very badly to be down amongst it all, exploring, but instead she sat beside Achmed as his elephant swayed its way up the slight hill towards the great arabesque encrusted gate which marked the entrance to the Pasha’s palace.

They passed through into a large paved courtyard which was surrounded ornately maintained gardens. Water ran in tiled channels to fill elegant fountains which were fringed with lilies or large sinuous lotus blossoms that filled the courtyard with a subtle perfume which banished the dust. Dates and palms curled from the walls towards the sunlit center creating covered walkways that were shaded from the sun. In the center of the courtyard a large tamaron tree stood majestically, greyish brown seed pods hanging from its branches in neat manicured clumps. A long set of steps lead up towards the palace itself. Rose petals had already been strewn along the sand stone steps and at each level a guard stood with a spear held at a perfect vertical.

“Ahhh My Lady Calliope,” Achmed said extending her a hand which she took.

“Allow me to repay your hospitality.”
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Markus had always done his best to remain stoic for appearances sake in front of the men. But seeing the indescribably lavish palace, still riding atop these strange creatures from distant lands, his eyes widened and he looked around in awe. The inside was far more beautiful than even he had anticipated. Birds of every color flocked in the tamaron tree, from parrots to eagles, to what looked like birds with beaks larger than their multicolored bodies.

In the distance, a large spotted hunting cat lounged, its fangs easily four inches long and razor sharp to pierce the skull of its prey. Markus wondered why it did not eye them hungrily, but he supposed they fed it often. They had to. No doubt the fountains were where it loved to keep cool in the intense heat.

As they halted, Calliope would take Achmed's hand. Markus dismounted from his camel somewhat awkwardly, the beast stepping uneasily once he got his feet on the ground. He patted its neck and shushed it, soothing the foreign animal how he would a horse. He reached into his pack and pulled out a dried berry, offering it to the Camel. If any of the nobility saw him calming the camel, they would have likely gasped at him doing servant's work. But as it were, they were focused upon the returned prince and the darkly beautiful Calliope.

The Elephant had bent down, and Achmed had led Calliope down (as she pretended that she needed his help to descend) and a great cry of "By Hayashim and the Blessed Moon!" was heard from atop the large staircase. All eyes turned to see a man in robes of silk, with a plumed hat that burgeoned into what looked to be a bloated beehive. Markus would have thought him a crazy man if not for the bejeweled pendants and rings upon his person, and a large diamond the size of Markus' fist at the base of his hat.

"Father! I have returned!" Achmed cried, and he embraced the Sultan after the elderly man descended to see him. He had a grey goatee, well groomed to seamlessly integrate into his somewhat light skin (for a Rasheeki). They smiled and hugged, though there was a tenseness there Calliope would be able to detect.

"Come come, let us go and clean you up my son."

"Father, I have guests." he said, and indicated Calliope, and Markus who strode up. Immediately the Sultan's eyes narrowed, and he muttered something in his native tongue, before saying. "No one is to be armed in my presence, save my guards."

It was an order, one to be followed or you would lose your head. Markus hesitated, glancing at Achmed and Calliope, before unbuckling his sword belt to comply. "Nonesense, nonsense!" Achmed exclaimed, gesturing with his hands. "Father, this man is my ally, having helped me escape the vile corsairs! And this woman directly saved me from certain doom! They are my guests, father." he explained, placing a hand on the sweeping shoulderline of the Sultan.

For many moments, he was quiet. Until he gave an inclination of his head. "Very well. Now come! We must get you clean, all of you. There will be a feast tonight to celebrate the return of my son, and may Hayashim bless the night on this hallowed day. Come come, we have much to prepare for..."

Servants immediately approached as they made it to the top of the stairs. Somehow, it was far cooler even at the opening of the Palace, refreshing and lightly smelling of lavender. As the nearly naked men approached, Achmed grinned and patted Markus' shoulder as if they had known one another for decades. "Smile, my friend! Tonight, we shall feast. And I will allow you the pick of my harem as much as you wish. We have many things to discuss."

"Uhm..." the Captain began, not unhappy at the mention of the harem. It had been a particularly long time before he had enjoyed the company of a woman. Perhaps a month before he and Calliope had fled Calaverde. He had mostly focused on survival and captaining a ship since, but he felt his arousal at the mere thought. No, this was all a bit too good to be true. Yes, they had survived odds none of them had thought possible, and they had rescured a Prince. But he has always preferred to earn his woman rather than have one given to him. And even if he let himself go at this one time, there was always a catch...

Calliope was whisked away into a hall that loomed above her like a horizon line, with potted plants of unknown nature leaning lazily fifty feet above her and the servants that led her through a door of satin drapes, into a connected room that was the size of a yeoman's plot of land. It took her a moment to realize they stood within a closet. Rows upon rows of cleaned, comfortable, gorgeous outfits; most revealing at least some skin were arrayed before them. Within, a bald eunuch stood, eyebrow raised. The part of his face between his nose and upper lip was a seamed slope.

"Ah, as beautiful as I had heard, and as gaudy as I had feared." He quipped, clapping twice as more eunuchs appeared, stripping Calliope down to nothing. She kept her necklace on her, guarding it like a hyena at bay. The master eunuch examined her studiously. "Black is her color" he said in northern, and then began to call out in Rasheeki, causing the eunuchs to move mechanically, grabbing an odd mixture of black and dark red garments that they began to slip upon her, caring not whether they touched her inappropriately or uncomfortably, though it was obvious they did not do it with lecherous intent.

By the time they were done, two small slave boys with lashes upon their backs were ushered in holding a mirror of golden filigree. Calliope would see herself presented in a courtly yet appealing garb. Black silk was expertly wrapped around her waist and legs to hug her curves but give freedom of movement to walk, tied together at the base of a shining agate stone that swirled with an unknown substance within. Her midriff was expodes, though sliding up it to fall over her dress was a crimson sarong. Her croptop was black like her dress, sleeveless and strapless, her shoulders covered by a dark veil. Her hair had been reformed into bun, with a diamond circlet resting above her brow.

"Now, Prince Achmed has informed me to bring you to the courtyard. If you would follow me..."
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Calliope followed the servant into the courtyard where Prince Achmed waited. Gone was the unwashed captive she had rescued from the corsair galley. Instead Achmed stood in shining white silks. A vest of sky blue cotton was slashed by a brilliant crimson sash, generously embroidered with gold thread. A turban of pure white silk was bound around his head and gold and jewels seemed to drip from him. Each finger contained a different ring and a chain of gold links hung from his neck. He was immaculately clean and groomed and a jewel encrusted scimitar hung from the sash. It didn’t look to Calliope like it was anything more than an ornament.

“You look absolutely stunning,” Achmed said and held out his hand. Calliope was unsure whether she was supposed to kiss it or take it but she opted for the latter and the prince gave no objection.

“Let us to dinner,” he declared.

The dining room, like every other room Calliope had seen, was luxuriously appointed. A long table ran most of the length of the room and the walls were covered with mosaic scenes. Calliope wasn’t familiar enough with Arad art to recognise the scenes depicted but they seemed to be of a religious nature. Numerous plants grew in shallow troughs by the walls, giving the room a greenery which was a luxury in this barren place and filling the room with the odors of their various flowers. The pollen tickled Calliope’s sinuses but she resisted the urge to sneeze. Somewhere out of sight a harp played, filling the room with gentle music. People stood as they entered and each bowed from the waist as the prince passed by. They were the great and the good of Dalib Sahara, come to eat with the Sultan.

At the end of the hall was a raised dais where the Sultan sat in resplendent glory on a throne draped with gorgeous leopard pelts behind which a hundred peacock feathers rose to form a spectacular fringe. Four guards stood sentinel like about the ruler of Dalib Sahara each holding a large round shield of polishes silver in which a palm tree was embossed in gold. Though they wore helmets, their faces were smooth and perfect. Calliope wondered whether they were real soldiers or merely ornamentation.

To Calliope’s considerable surprise Markus sat at the Sultan’s right hand in a place of honor that normally would have been reserved for the Prince. Achmed also noticed this and tensed in anger, though nothing showed on his face or in his gait. From the look of satisfaction on the Sultan’s face she wasn’t the only one who noticed the reaction. The Sultan was clearly using Markus to deliver a none to0 subtle lesson to the prince about who ruled in Dalib Sahara.

The reached the step of the dais and Achmed prostrated himself before the throne. Calliope was fairly certain she was supposed to do something similar but, trusting to her supposed ignorance, settled for a slight curtsey instead.

“Father, by the grace of Hayashim, praised be his name, I have returned to serve you,” Achmed said formally. The Sultan waited several long heart beats before speaking.

“Rise my Son and take the place to my left, the city rejoices in your safe return, and in the gallantry of your ‘allies’ who secured your freedom.”

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Markus was not as well versed in political maneuverings as Calliope, particularly in the court of Dalib Sahara on the Corsair Coast. He could only really trust the Sultan, or better, follow the Sultan's orders so as not to anger a man who could call for his execution at any time. But when he saw that his presence on the right hand throne was seen as a problem by the subtle facial twitches of the prince, he had to keep his displeasure of being used from appearing on his face. He hoped the new garb he wore wasn't what a Prince would normally wear so as not to add insult to injury.

He was glad for the change of clothes though, and if the Sultan did not want them returned he was certain he could sell it hundreds of coin royals. His mane of black hair had been cut and styled, wavier and clipped shorter in the back to give him a less unkempt, more adventurous look to him. Much like the nobleborn swordsman he had been. He wore a royal purple kaftan with golden hemlins, that hugged his masculine shoulders and flowed down nearly to his ankles. His tan top beneath, as well as his loose fitting pants was made of seraser, likely the most expensive type of silk in the Arad Luin, and all of the northland. Luckily it didn't feel too dainty, not that he would go sailing in it.

Markus debated on whether he should rise or not at that moment, but after a moment he dispelled the notion as the Prince was now going over to sit at the Sultan's left hand. That, however, left Calliope standing there before the Sultan, awkwardly. Though she didn't show it. She had a presence that commanded respect and appeal in any situation. Still, the nuance of her standing while all others sat wasn't lost on Markus, and he figured he would solve the situation and aid her by gracefully lifting on the throne, as if this was what he had been bid all along, and hold his hand out to Calliope as he presented the chair to her.

"I thank you, wise Sultan." Markus said, using his most heroic voice. The echoes on the marbled walls certainly aided him in this endeavor. "For this great honor to sit at your right hand. But it would be a disservice to not award the true savior of your son with this esteemed seat, if you would so allow it." He ended the small speech with a bent knee, and when the Sultan, who was clearly uncomfortable with a woman in a position of power at all, hesitantly acquiesced, Calliope strode forward confidently and took Markus's hand and seat.

The Sultan then clapped, and slowly the heavy doors of the throne room opened as Satraps and Pashas entered the room, along with a retinue of fearocious and fomidable guards wearing helms that had the likeness of jackals. Their breastplates were bronze scale armor that clinked lightly as they moved in unison. "So, Captain Flintbrook and Lady Calliope, will you regale me of the tale on how you saved my son?" The Sultan began.

"They were blackguards, your highness." Calliope said with a dramatic flair, all eyes on her as she began to recount what had happened. Markus did well to keep his eye out on the crowd, but even he did not foresee a beautiful woman with olive colored skin walk up to him and take his hand from behind. He turned, about to grab the concealed dagger that was in his boot, when he saw her give a slight bow as she kissed his hand. She wore a fashionable dress of golden silk, overlapped by a garment of interwoven fabrics the color of red and orange like the setting sun that hugged her hip like a sarong, only it tightly wrapped around her snug belt. Her earrings were two suns that hung beside her healthy, flushed cheeks. The woman's hair was dark and made of long curlsm and atop her head was a crown.

"My prince," she said, her eyes filled with pleasure. "It does me well that you are safe."

Markus' eyes widened and Achmed sputtered in clear outrage. The Captain opened his mouth to speak, before large hands drapped gently across the woman's shoulders. "No my Princess Melissenos, Prince Achmed sits at the left hand of the great Sultan. This is but a skilled Sailor and personal friend." As quickly as her eyes were bright, they became dull just as swiftly until they landed on Achmed, which she hurried over to speak to. The man that had directed her was a large and fat man, black bearded with the skin of dried leather, though he hid it in robes of satin and an illustrious hat. He had a brooch of the Sidewinder Serpent upon his chest that tied his light cloak to his back.

"Ah, my Vizier. How good of you to appear. On time as usual."
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“Ah Kirafa,” the Sultan said in a genial tone.

“I am glad you were able to join us.” The Vizer bowed at the waist the many gold chains he wore clinking softly as he did so. It was a surprisingly graceful movement for a man of his weight. Calliope had the impression that he had once been a hard man, but that years of life at caught had softened him. The eyes remained sharp and penetrating though. Acmed for his part was doing his best not to glare at Markus whose impression on the would be Sultana had evidently not been missed.

“Merely dispensing of a few of the more unpleasant tasks of my office honored Sultan,” the Vizer said his tone apologetic, like a man who works himself to the bone and then berates himself for not working harder.

“I came as soon as I heard we had visitors… and the prince Achmed had returned to us safely, Hayashim be praised!” the Vizier turned and offered another bow to the prince this one deeper even than that he had offered the Sultan. Acmed’s face was stony having correctly read the slight in being mentioned after Markus and Calliope. The bow was a mockery, one of many which was being heaped on the prince tonight. Calliope made a mental note to warn Markus to sleep with a dagger, not that she imagined that was an unusual state of him. Quick as a cobra the Vizer wheeled around.

“A thousand thanks Captain,” he said with an oily smile, “All of Dalib Sahara rejoices that you have returned our prince to us.” His viper like gaze shifted to Calliope.

“And you my lady, tell me, are you the Calliope that rules in Calaverde?” he asked with theatrical innocence. The dark haired witch nodded guardedly.

“Formerly, I fear that jealous courtiers have conspired to drive me from the city for a time.” she admitted, certain that both he and the Sultan already knew of her overthrow. Indeed, the sultan was stroking his beard and watching they by play with interest.

“The same Calliope who was said to be intriguing with the Erratri to overthrow our brothers in Hayashim?” he asked with every appearnce of shock. Calliope waved a dismissive hand.

“Lies spread about me by the usurper Sebastian Del Mondo,” she declared airly, although the accusations were completely true, there was little chance there was anything approaching proof of her schemes. The Vizer nodded, clearly expecting such a defense.

“Ah well it is said that a witch has cursed Calaverde and that a great wind blows across the harbor night and day, more lies I assume?” he asked arching a dark eyebrow. Calliope thought very fast, surely her spell could not still be functioning could it? But why would anyone make up so strange an accusation, and it had been a spell from the Codex, unlike any she had ever attempted before.

“Such magic is beyond mere mortals,” she said allowing her face to curl into a smile. The Vizer smirked but before he could skew her with whatever game he had in mind she went on.

“But I am responsible in a way,” she admitted before picking up her wine and taking a sip. Deliberately she made no move to elaborate until the Sultan grew impatient enough to speak.

“And how are you responsible my lady?” he asked.

“Umberlee, the goddess of storms, has cursed Sebastian and Calaverde for betraying me, so long as I am absent from my throne, the arctic wind will howl her displeasure,” Calliope allowed her voice to swell to fill the hall, a trick of oratory she had learned in the many speeches she had made during her rise to power. Audible gasps rose from the guests at the dramatic proclamation.

“Nonsense,” broke in the Vizer, looking none to pleased at being upstaged.

“Why would a Goddess do such a thing?” Achmed broke in, ignoring the princess who sat beside him to look across the table to Calliope.

“Well who can say why my moth..the goddess does anything,” she muttered, her voice quiet enough that only those on the dias could hear her, the apparent slip of the tongue seeming as natural as the desert wind. Legends had to be nurtures afterall. Her eyes slid of the Vizer contemptuously.

“Would you pass me a pomegranate Captain?” she asked Markus politely.
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Markus turned to her slowly, doing his best not to smirk. To his credit, he kept his composure well, though his eyes held a weight to them as they looked into Calliope's directly. "Of course, my lady." he said, his voice going even deeper and more honeyed than his usual charismatic tone, handing her the treat. She smiled through her teeth and bit into it happily. Markus hadn't the patience for this as she had.

Still, he knew how to play along when he needed to.

"Once she came into my service, we were unstoppable. She's truly a delight." Markus said to the Sultan, trying to keep an air of both modesty and the boastfulness of a seasoned sailor. "The sea is fickle, and my men and I can ride the waves as skillfully as any! But she has brought blessings upon our ship, such as meeting with you, excellency." The Captain knelt before the Sultan, who beamed at the statement. Achmed was livid, but he remained silent. The Sultan engaged further.

"Such as fighting against six ships of the Blood Axes and living..." he said, grooming his magnificently white beard as he contemplated the possibilities. The Vizier approached, and Markus could imagine a dagger being summoned at but an instant with a flicker of his hand. A small scuff on the man's boot was yellowed from what most would have believed to be dried sand. Markus recognized it as Curenstone, an ingredient that is favored by less than reputable alchemists.

"Indeed..." he said, contemplatively. He strode forward, and his long robes gave him the look of something that slithered along the ground, eyeing Calliope and Markus hungrily, Calliope a bit more so. Though if it was her former position as tyrant or simple lust, Markus could not tell. "Your highness, I am certain that your 'guests' have not dined. Shall I prepare quarters for them and bring them dinner? I am certain they are tired after a heroic journey."

"Wise council, my trusted Vizier." He replied, clapping his hands together. A dozen exotic guards hustled into the area before the Satraps, who watched with interest, at least those that were not mingling with one another. The Sultan ordered his men. "Escort the Captain and the Lady Calliope to the eastern wing."

"Father," Achmed said. "I shall accompany them."

"No! You must stay my son. You need to entertain your bride to be." he replied with a laugh. Everyone was silent save for one man. A younger pasha from the remote regions who wore modest clothing and second rate jewelry, who sought favor from the Sultan by laughing heartily along with him. As he guffawed, all eyes turned to the younger man.

The Sultan's face went from amused to grave. "You dare laugh in my presence?" he seethed, as guards seized the young man, who struggled in vain.

As Markus and Calliope were escorted into their villa, they would hear the familiar sound of steel on bone, and the agonized scream of a man who could not hold his merriment.
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Contrary to Calliope’s expectations the eastern wing of the palace wasn’t part of the main building. Instead long covered walkways ran through palm gardens, weaving up a small hill to where a number of large villas reached towards the darkening sky. Already a sickle shaped moon was rising into the blue black of early evening. Below the lights of the city and the harbour winked and glimmered, though from this height it looked less lively than the energetic chaos Calliope had seen from the back of the elephant.

Their villa was a large two story building with three sides wrapped around a central court of immaculately laid hexagonal stones. A handsome fountain of worked bronze depicted three stylized desert women with water jars on their slender shoulders. Water bubbled from the mouths of the water jars kept under pressure, probably, by magic. The villa was lit with magical lumin crystals which hung from carefully worked wire made to resemble ivy vines. Servants, clearly alerted by runners from the main palace, stood in a pair of long lines. One of the lines appeared to be oiled eunuchs, dressed in silk pantaloons and vests of red silk, the other line was comprised of willow beautiful Arad women. Calliope wasn’t sure if they were member of the Sultan’s harem or if he merely employed particularly beautiful servants. As they entered the court both lines threw themselves flat in obeisance groveling before their guests.

“Well I guess the Sultan is taking us seriously,” Markus observed eyeing the women. Calliope snickered, though the groveling made her lip curl a little. It wasn’t something that came naturally to those not from Arad Lind.

“What do you suppose the crew is doing?” Calliope asked as Markus escorted her through the main door and into a large central room. Inside stood a long table piled high with food of every kind. There was roasted pheasant and joints of beef as well as dates, melons, currants, candied apricots, cheeses, cherries and a dozen other things less identifiable. Large carafes of silver held sweet smelling wine or perhaps ale. Calliope found she was suddenly ravenous.

“Getting rip roaring drunk I shouldn’t wonder,” Markus chuckled.

“I gave the boys their wages and if any of them have a crown to their name when they come back aboard then they are no sailor.” Markus took a seat and threw a boot up onto the table.

“Why did you give them that line about Umberlee?” Markus asked as Calliope took a seat across from him. She took a pitcher of wine and poured it into a goblet of chased silver. Calliope took a long drink and smirked her familiar smirk.

“Perhaps it is true,” she replied doing her best to look mysterious.
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Markus was a hard man. Used to working with his hands and not accustomed to wiping off blood, his or his enemy's, until a job was done. He was very good at holding back his mischievous impulses until he could cash in the fruits of his labor. Though he was still not without the curiosity of youth, and here he felt he had a difficult time not indulging himself on whatever he saw fit, even though he knew logically that he was in the stronghold of a despot who could easily use he and Calliope as leverage for his own personal gain.

The Palace begged to be enjoyed. The light filtered off in ubiquitous rays of overlapping gold, with the aroma of foreign scents in the air. Not to mention Markus was starving, and seeing both the delectable food and Calliope's dress hugging her curvaceous form as she walked didn't help him keep his mind sharp. Still, he knew he could control himself and summon the urge to be crisp at a moment's notice. But there was an inherent magic to the air that sweetened lift by its very presence, and he had just survived an impossible battle. Why not celebrate a bit?

Markus plucked a grape off the table, ripped the stem off and ate it. It was fresh, though it didn't sate his hunger. "Well are we not blessed then?" he said in reply to Calliope, and gave a sweeping bow with his immaculate cloak to her, before he sat down and began to dig in. Calliope chuckled and joined him, and though they started out being picky, they began to eat a bit less politely as they began to understand how truly hungry they were.

"I saw you gazing past the villa." Calliope said, inspecting the food with a meticulous focus.

"Looking for an out, just in case." He explained, having already spotted a small low incline in the back wall through the gardens with his practiced eye.

"You know, you'd make a fine first mate." She said, winking. Markus let her have the jab with humor. It was then they began to dig in.

Calliope felt a near insatiable hunger for the red meat on the table, and Markus was morbidly impressed that she could eat so much prime steak and pork and uncaring to how it looked, while somehow being delicate and quick enough with the cloth to keep the juices from running down into her top. It was a true sign of nobility. Markus was not quite as skilled, but he kept himself relatively clean. If it wasn't for the sound of what seemed like a rudder chain running off of a ship's wooden railing, they would never have heard the Leopard approach.

It's growl was low and constant, and Calliope drew her feet and legs up on her comfortable chair, grabbing the arms as she glared warily at what was approaching. It was walking casually. The Leopard they had seen lounging at the front of the palace when they arrived. A beautiful beast the size of Markus, loping slowly with its body moving in perfect motion as it approached, mouth open to aid with the heat, its four inch fangs protruding from its maw.

Markus stiffened for a moment, before slowly grabbing a rib bone. There was a glint in his eyes that matched the leopard, and he smiled ferally as he began to whisper in a flowing language that seemed to drift into the walls as if carried by whispers. The Leopard halted, its rounded ears perked up as it turned to look at Markus in the eyes. Calliope would recognize the language as Elvish, something Markus sometimes spoke aloud when talking to himself.

Slowly, the beast turned and began to make it's way over to the Captain, and just as it neared less than a pace away, Markus' soft elvish reached an end, and he tossed the rib to the beast, who caught it easily, slumping down to gnaw on it happily.

Markus, looking like a prince in all but title, ran his hand over his new 'friend' approvingly.
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Calliope reached out her hand to pet the leopard but the creature rocked back on its haunches growling a warning. The beast flared its nostril and lashed its tail angrily. Calliope raised an eyebrow but drew her hand back, not willing to risk a nip from the cats sharp fangs. The wine and meat she had consumed made her feel pleasantly full and she reclined back on the comfortable seat. Pondering the Vizer’s words she wondered if it was really true that the spell she had cast in Calaverde was still causing the wind to gale in the harbor. That wasn’t true of a normal spell, but who knew what secrets the Codex held. She was certain that her ‘prophecy’ that the gale would last until she returned to her rightful place, would find its way back to Sebastian on the next ship to make the passage, what his reaction might be was anyone's guess but it was always worth keeping people of balance.

A brassy metallic music accompanied by soft drums sprang up as two eunuchs began to play. A third unlimbered a strange looking lute and began to strum a low rhythmic melody. As though on cue the doors opened and three beautiful girls, each swathed in gausy silks which covered their midriffs and hips and little else, wove their way sinuously towards a cleared space before the great table. Each of the girls were lovely with dusky skin and dark almond shaped eyes. A profusion of gold bangles hung from their wrists and they began to gyrate slowly to the music. The dance was sensual in the extreme, rolling hips and long stretching movements that drew the eye and set the heart pounding.

Calliope lay back in her chair and watched the performance, her blood stirring in spite of her best efforts. One of the eunuchs refilled her wine as she watched entranced by the increasingly frenetic dancing. The girls seemed to be able to roll their hips in a way that was almost unnatural, compelling the attention like a charm spell. Several times she dipped into her mage sight to see if there were any magical undertone to the dance, but it was pure natural skill and grace rather than anything that snared the senses using arcana.

By the time the dance ended with a soft clang of brass both Calliope and Markus were equally disappointed. The girls lay themselves prostate on the tiled floor in a pose of supplication. Calliope stood up.

“Can we serve you mistress?” one of the Eunuchs asked. She shook her head. Arad customs were a deal more restrictive than those even of the Sea of Swords and she was in no hurry to offend the sensibilities of a man who killed people just for laughing in his presence.

“No, I will retire to my chambers,” she declared, turning and leaving Markus to the attentions of the girls. It really was best not to take any chances.

Calliope dreamed. In her dreams she swept from the sky, plummeting like an ebony lightning bolt. The wind rushed passed her in a torrent, exhilarating her as the gray green sea rushed up to meet her. The mage on the deck below was chanting desperately trying simultaneously to defend his vessel and destroy the opponent to the south. At the last moment Calliope’s wings snapped open and her jaws gaped. The mage, a dirty looking man in a turban looked up, his visage carved in shock and horror as her fangs snapped shut, her talons tore the deck as she sprang upwards of the deck in a shower of splinters, great wings beating her skyward, the delicious taste of hot blood filling her mouth.

She swam amidst the wreckage of a great fleet. Even as she watched a galleon, its sides stared with cannon fire and its timbers burned from spell fire, hit the sea bottom, with a thrum of compressed sea water instead of sound. A trail of detritus followed it down like a veil behind a bride, loose objects that had tumbled free when it went under, shattered timbers to heavy to remain above,, food with their limbs shattered and bodies pierced with steel, others fell more slowly having drowned after delaying the inevitable for a few short minutes. She swam past them, the sharks and creatures of the sea bottom would eat well, but her interest was in something more than feeding. Reaching the galleon she tore into its hold, worming her way into the fibre of the ship. Chests lay scattered everywhere, some already spilling their sparkling cargos of gold, silver and jewels, others she tore open, gathering the riches of an empire to her, allowing the gold and gems to slide over her body like oil running over her before a massage.

Calliope’s eyes snapped open and she sat up gasping, a yellow taste in the back of her throat. Her body was soaked in sweat and she trembled blissfully her body quivering. The dragon amulet, the only thing she was wearing throbbed between her breasts, though, perhaps, that was merely her own hammering heart. Staggering out of bed she crossed to the window where a silver pitcher of water sat, glinting in the moonlight. Without bothering with the goblet beside it, she seized the pitcher and bought it to her lips gulping the cool water greedily, so eager was she to quench her thirst that the fluid spilled over her chin and ran down her body. She ignored it, continuing to drink in long gulps until she finally sat the pitcher back on its tray.

Out the window the moon was high in the sky and the stars shone pitilessly down through the clear sky. The heat of the day was somewhat ameliorated as the sun's fury seeped from the rocks into the sky. Through the window she could see the ornamental gardens at the center of the villa, vibrant greens rendered into odd grey tones by the moon. As she watched she saw a bush shiver, a moment later a figure emerged from behind it, stealing stealthily across the gardens towards the wing opposite Calliope, where Markus was staying. It was the girl who had been introduced as Prince Achmed’s bride to be, she realised with a shock. The woman’s face was hidden but her grace and attire were unmistakable. What could she want with a pirate captain?


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Markus was content to sit back upon the large, pillowed duvet as the women continued to sway closer and closer. There was something about a woman's hips that mesmerized him when they moved just a certain way, and he could feel his desire stirring as he indulged on the wine. But he understood the prudence his first mate had wisely chosen, and after a small session of simply allowing himself to eat and enjoy the entertainment, he took his leave and tossed a coin onto the ground with a mere flick of his thumb. As soon as it was tossed, he turned, and he could hear the girls scrambling for the pittance.

Cyrus the Leopard lazily looked up at Markus, but did not pursue. The beast was still chewing on the bone, its powerful jaws already making great cracks in the hard material. As it gave a satisfied growl, the women suddenly realized the leopard was still there, and they hastily made their exit out the side of the small living area. Markus paid no heed. He simply wished to go out to the courtyard for a bit.

As the sun lowered on the horizon, Markus placed a palm over the smooth marble of a column that overlooked the vast gardens. He made it his business to feel every nook and imperfection of the architecture, knowing that each was in fact an addition to the whole, made by tireless craftsmen dozens if not hundreds of years ago. And as he turned, he saw the blazing sun and it warmed his breast as he simply enjoyed it, wondering by all accounts if any God or eldritch power gazed upon him at that moment. There had to be some reason he had survived so many times in his youth, and had done so again just yesterday. He wished the could practice his swordplay here. He always could think better as he did so. But he needed to tread carefully. Any misstep, and even a hero could have his execution called in such a place.

Hours later, Markus was within his domed chamber. Candles and torches lined the walls, though the light was still dim. He had never felt such soft fabric, or a mattress that fit his form so well as this. But unlike Calliope, he could find no sleep this night. Instead he simply allowed himself to think, pondering what he could gain from playing along in this political game in such a foreign land. After a long length of time, his eyes grew heavy, and he realized the hour would be growing late sooner or later.

He began to douse each torch and candle, knowing the closed curtains and the covers would keep him comfortable while the heat of the fire lingered in the room, at least until morning. With an audible sigh, the Captain slipped into his bed and placed his hands behind his head and drifted off into a light sleep...

Until he grabbed the dagger that he had concealed under his pillow and placed it upon the throat of the intruder in one swift movement, causing a frightened gasp from what was clearly a beautiful woman. In the dark it was hard to see, though through the moonlight he could see the raven hair, shapely figure, and the copper skin of the woman. His mind immediately went to Calliope, and his sleep addled state of thoughts did not linger far from the mark when she placed a finger upon the knife and moved it slowly from her neck.

"We must not tell the Prince..." she whispered, placing a finger on his lips. Before he could say anything, she kissed him hungrily. Markus usually had his wits about him, but the fogginess of his mind and the wine that still held sway over what was still awake, as well as the stirrings he felt, he did not halt her. Idly, he stripped off the vest he had been given, allowing her hands to run over his bare chest. He took control, his hands gripping her waist and flipping her over, as his left hand run up her back while they enjoyed one another's bodies.

Their groans of rising pleasure could be heard from just outside, by the silent assailant that approached the chambers. Silently, the curtains were pulled back, and a dagger glinted in the light of the moon as the two were just about to begin. The woman giggled and turned Markus to give herself a better position to grab ahold of his-

The dagger embedded into the woman's back, taking her breath, as well as her life from her body. Her fingers lost all purchase on him, and it took Markus a moment to realize just what had happened, rising up from the bed and seeing the shadowy figure in the doorway. Gods damn it! Without a word, the assassin unsheathed a yatagan. Markus couldn't exactly pull his trousers up. They wouldn't go past his 'readied' state comfortably even if he had the time.

As the man charged, Markus ripped the dagger out of the Praelian's corpse and cut the sheet he was under, using it as a fanning shield to disorient his opponent while the man stabbed forward. Markus had simply let go of the sheet the second he brought it to bear, lowering his body and driving the dagger forward as the yagatan thrust over his head. Markus stabbed into the man's stomach, but kept the knife there to keep the blood from seeping out too much.

The weakened assassin gasped, and using his adrenaline, Markus disarmed him and flipped him over the bed to land atop the woman's corpse, stabbing into his neck to silence any croaks that might forthcome. Without hesitating, he pulled the dead man off the woman and checked her pulse, but even as he discovered her dead, he finally got a good look at her face to reveal her as... the princess? "What?" he mouthed, realizing his mistake.

As the identity of the woman dawned on him, Calliope would walk into the chambers having heard a disturbance, to find a dead cloaked man, a dead princess, blood on the sheets, and her Captain with a notable hard on.
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Calliope stood in the doorway with her sword drawn, her eyes flicked down to the Captain’s nakedness and then across to the bodies that lay on the bed. She arched an interrogative eyebrow as Markus finally manage to get his trousers up.

“Hmmm,” she commented neutrally before shooting her sword home into its scabbard.

“This is going to be a problem,” she opined. A clatter of wood upon wood out in the courtyard took her across the grizzly scene to peer out through the large arabesque window that looked out over a small balcony. In the moonlight courtyard a figure could be seen creeping across the courtyard in a posture of stealth so dramatic as to actively call more attention than simply walking would have done.

“It’s Achmed,” Calliope hissed, drawing back from the window in chagrin. Markus didn’t panic, no one who spent their life upon the ocean panicked at bad news but his eyes widened. Being the guest of the Sultan wouldn’t save them if it was discovered they had apparently murdered his bride to be. Calliope wasn’t certain what had occured but brutal though he was she doubted Markus was the sort of man to murder a woman. Had the assassin been with her? Waiting for a moment to strike when Markus’ guard was down? Or had he been sent to follow her and just gotten unlucky. It hardly mattered right at this moment. There was no chance they could get to the Witch and get her to sea if the crime was discovered, even assuming they could round up the crew, who, if Calliope was any judge, would need to be roused from every bar and brothel in Dalib Sahara.

“Ok,” she said, thinking rapidly. The first step was to get rid of the bodies, no the first step was to side track Acmed.

“I’ll see what I can do to take care of the Prince,” she said crossing back over the room and slipping out the door. She heard the door bolt behind her as Markus locked it from the inside. What they were going to do with two bodies she had no idea but that was a problem for Markus, or for later. Hastily she unbuckled her weapons and dropped them into a large ceramic amphorae. The pots contained water and the condensing effect cooled the inside of the stone structure, then she put on a deliberately dreamy expression and began to saunter down the hallway.

Achmed stepped around a corner so suddenly that Calliope nearly ran into him, as it was she pirroutted gracefully, a dreamy giggle bubbling from her lips.

“Lady Calliope?” Acmed gasped, straightening to his full, not particularly impressive, height. Calliope giggled again and began to circle Acmed dreamily.

“My you are handsome,” she breathed, forcing her eyes to dilate as though she had been partaking of opa or some other mind altering drug. She giggled again, trailing a finger over Acmed’s shoulder as she circled him like a stalking cat. Acmed laughed an oily laugh.

“I knew you couldn’t resist me,” he said with false confidence, “I could see it in your eyes at the feast.” Calliope resisted the urge to snicker with a heroic effort.

“Mmmmm, did you come to see me?” she purred, pressing her lips close to Achmed’s ear. The prince nodded eagerly, trying to reach for her but she continued to circle, slipping out of his grip.

“Come,” she breathed, taking him by the hand and leading him towards her chambers. Acmed trailed eagerly along behind her as she pulled him through the door and closed it behind her, needlessly loudly so that Markus would hear it, then shot the bolt closed.

“Do you need to lock the door…” Acmed began, but Calliope crossed the floor and kissed him, cutting of the words. Acmed stiffened and then returned the kiss inexpertly. Calliope wondered if a downside of having harem girls is that they told you that everything you did was wonderful. With the same slow dreamy movement she had been using she began to undress him, sliding off his turban and slipping a golden medallion over his head. His hands moved over her back, unfastening the silken cloth and freeing her breasts, his fingers rising to caress them.

“Mmm,” Calliope moaned and pushed Achmed back onto the bed. He fell upon the silken sheets, eyes wide and excited.

“Basos,” Calliope muttered. There was a flicker of arcane power and the prince’s eyes glazed and he toppled forward onto his face. Sleeping spells were tricky if your opponent was wary, but if their guard was down they could be tremendously effective. She lay the medallion, doubtlessly a ward that would have prevented just such an attack down on the bed by the Prince, then quickly unlocked the door and hurried back out to see what Markus had concocted.
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Markus looked out of the curtains as Calliope left, positive she would be able to handle the Prince. Though his appearance blatantly confirmed what he had already suspected. As he and the Princess were engaging, he recalled the moment over and over in his head. That knife had been meant for him. Only by the grace of the Gods, or the hunger of the Princess, changed his fate and the knife flew into her back as she turned Markus over to be on bottom. By why would anyone kill him? The only person he had embarrassed was Achmed, and his presence here all but confirmed that suspicion.

He hadn't come to see Calliope, he had come to see if the assassination was completed. He simply had not counted on the Princess making an appearance and taking the knife that was meant for Markus. It was a pity though. Markus wasn't overly charitable, but the Princess had done nothing but been interested in having a bit of fun, and she was now dead for it. Oh well, it mattered little now. What he needed to do now was think.

He didn't want to move the bodies yet. Their presence might somehow be used to his and Calliope's advantage. It was a short second before Calliope knocked on the door thrice, and Markus let her in and closed the door behind her. He now had his surcoat on, along with his trousers securely fastened by his silk belt. "He's asleep, but my spell will only last so long as his body will flow with sleep naturally. What do you propose we do?" she remarked.

Markus informed her of his theory, and she rolled her eyes briefly. Not at Markus, but at the possibility that Achmed would be petty enough to hire an assassin to kill someone who helped save his life over jealousy. "I'm not surprised, but again how do you wish to proceed?"

"We won't be able to convince Achmed of anything, if he's behind this. But all we need to do is convince his father." Markus said, thinking aloud. "Do you know the Vortarae Animo?" Referring to the spell that could subtly alter the mind. Calliope snapped, nodding. "And if the subject sleeps, it's easier to realign the mind." she finished for him. Markus winked. "Aye. I'll bring Achmed in here and place him on the bed. You can then beguile his mind into thinking the Princess and he were chased into my chambers while I lay in the central area or your chambers, either one, having not retired in here. We'll bring the assassin to the garden's, dead by my hand. Then the Sultan can only reward me."

"I cannot change Achmed's knowledge of him hiring the assassin, assuming he did."

"No matter, it'll only add to his confusion. We'll bring drink in here. At least 3 empty bottles."

It was sloppy, but still liable to work, and the best thing they could do under these circumstances. "I'm surprised you let the Princess beguile you. Let your guard down?" she smirked. Markus laughed. "I didn't know it was her until she had a knife shoved into her back."
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“Assassins!” the Sultan fumed, glaring dangerously around the audience chamber. The sun was already rising and the heat was beginning to warm the desert air, even in the cool well watered chamber. Calliope and Markus stood grim faced before the body of the hired killer, which had been carried to the room for the Sultan to view. Achmed stood beside his father, his face a mask of confusion and anger.

“They murdered the princess Yasmina,’ Achmed said in a tight voice. The Sultan whirled on the prince, his gold white robes whipping like a pennant. The girls body had been taken to the embalmers so that it could be prepared for the burial.

“And what was my son and his bride to be doing in the guest wing in the middle of the night?” the Sultan demanded in a dark tone. Achmed, his mind addled by the spell Calliope had placed upon him, could only stammer.

“And what do you two know of this!” the Sultan demanded, spinning to face the two foreigners to the evident relief of Achmed. Calliope spread her hands wide in a gesture of helplessness. She was dressed in a sheer top of black fabric that covered her breasts and trailed a gossamer thin sheen of gossamer silk down over her midriff, shading but not concealing her bare midriff. A similar skirt duplicated the effect on her legs, although a long slash provided more freedom of movement than might otherwise be expected. The whole ensemble was ruined by the sword belt she wore buckled around her hips but she was in no mood to go without a weapon.

“We were in Calli’s chamber,” Markus supplied, “we heard a scream and rushed back to my room.”

“The assassin, must have been going for the prince, but his bride to be threw herself in front of the knife,” Calliope added helpfully. Achmed’s jaw worked, he clearly remembered hiring the assassin but he couldn’t contradict the story, the memories Calliope had carefully inserted into his mind matched the story they were telling.

“The princess collapsed into his arms and bore him back so that he cracked his head on the floor,” Calliope went on. In actual fact Markus had kicked him in the head, an act he had taken all together too much pleasure in, but they had needed a bruise to explain what happened.

“First my son is kidnapped by pirates, next he is targeted by an assassin. What am I to make of it?” the Sultan demanded. At that exact moment the doors swung open and the Vizer hurried in. He cast as look around the gathering, his sly eyes suspicious. Calliope didn’t even want to guess what angle the Vizer might try to work here.

“Great Sultan, perhaps we ought discuss this with your son in private?” he suggested, casting an unreadable look at the two pirates.

“Yes, yes…” the Sultan agreed. He fixed Markus with a penetrating look.

“I am certain you have the bussiness of your ship to occupy you Captain,” the fat monarch clapped his hands together and two armored soldiers carried over a small chest. They threw back the lid to reveal sparkling gold and silver coin, stamped with the likeness of the Sultan on one side and the symbol of Harashyim on the other.

“In gratitude for your services thus far,” the Sultand declared. Calliope and Markus bowed and stepped forward to collect the chest.

“Thus far?” Calliope asked as they exited the chamber. She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that.
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