[center][h2]FLASHBACK: Night of Sola 2[/h2][/center]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/FRwJf2zV/sdcheader.png[/img][/center]

[color=DC143C]“I’m fightin’ ta’ Caesonian crown.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk blinked once. He wasn’t quite sure what he’d expected to hear from Cynric as the latter stepped onto [i]Sada Kurau[/i]’s quarterdeck, but it certainly wasn’t those words, strung together in that exact order, and spoken with the sort of blithe nonchalance one might use when sharing about plans for supper and not, as Cynric was doing now, openly declaring oneself as a rebel.

So surprised was Sjan-dehk in fact, that as he turned away from the pitch-black waters beyond the taffrail, and towards the Recompense’s Captain, he wondered if perhaps he’d misheard.

[color=1E90FF]“You…”[/color] Sjan-dehk began, his brows furrowed. [color=1E90FF]“What?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“I’m fightin’ ta’ Caesonian crown,”[/color] Cynric repeated, just as casually as before. He lingered near the landing of the stairs that’d brought him up to the quarterdeck, leaning against the gunwale with a smile on his face and an air of relaxed confidence about him. [color=DC143C]“Me, an’ my ship, an’ my crew, we’re aw’ ‘aving a fair go at the crown, aye we are.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk nodded slowly, the look upon his face laying somewhere within the odd intersection of curiosity, wariness, and abject confusion. [color=1E90FF]“I…See,”[/color] he said, folding his arms over his chest and raising a brow. [color=1E90FF]“And you followed us here just to tell me that? Just to, how do you say…Confess?”[/color]

Cynric laughed and shook his head. [color=DC143C]“Confess? Nae, nae, ye’ve got it aw’ wrong, pal. A confession implies some kind o’ wrongdoin’ or other, aye it does, an’ fightin’ ta’ crown’s ta’ rightest thing anyone can dae, if ye ask me. ‘Tis jus’ a bit o’ honesty frae me, Cap’n. I reckoned it’d ‘elp us start off aw’ proper-like, an’ aw.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“Start off what?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Well, I was thinkin’ a chat would be good, aye,”[/color] Cynric replied. [color=DC143C]“‘Tis nae much. Jus’ somethin’ tae clear ta’ waters an’, well, see where the twa o’ us stand on things.”[/color]

He tilted his chin towards Sjan-dehk. [color=DC143C]“Mind if I join ye o’er there, Cap’n?”[/color]

A frown tugged on the corners of Sjan-dehk’s lips, but he managed to not let it show. Part of him wanted to tell Cynric to leave [i]Sada Kurau[/i] immediately, and to forget that this conversation had ever happened. To be associated with a known rebel—even if through a simple talk—was likely a quick and easy way of drawing the unwanted attention, and perhaps even ire, of Caesonian authorities. Considering the Kingdom’s dismal views on magic, and that Sada Kurau’s complement now included a handful of arcanists, that was the very last thing Sjan-dehk needed. 

But then again, the chances of anyone ever finding out about this meeting were incredibly slim. Aside from the lanterns hanging from Sudah’s masts, flickering like dim stars through the mist, there weren’t any other signs of civilisation, let alone of another ship. 

And besides, Cynric had thus far proven himself, if not fully honest, then at the very least amicable enough to deserve a chance to say his piece, as well as some suspended judgement. Sjan-dehk supposed that he owed him that much, especially after considering all the valuable help he’d given during the earlier incident at the tavern. That said nothing of the risks Cynric had taken, and was taking, to seek him out—shadowing [i]Sudah[/i] and [i]Sada Kurau[/i] had almost earned his ship a full broadside from the latter. Had it taken Sjan-dehk just a moment longer to identify the [i]Recompense[/i]—by no means an easy task in the dark—Cynric and his ship, and his crew, would by now be on their way to the depths. 

Cynric then not only agreed to board [i]Sada Kurau[/i] unaccompanied and unarmed, but also agreed to lay his ship at anchor alongside her, well within range of her guns. It was almost as if he planned to place himself at as much of a disadvantage as possible. And to Sjan-dehk, that spoke of some form of sincerity.

[color=1E90FF]“Okay,”[/color] he said at last, tilting his head towards the taffrail as he turned back around. He waited until he felt Cynric’s presence beside him before continuing. [color=1E90FF]“What else about you should I know about? It will be hard to talk if you still have secrets.”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Every man ‘as ‘is secrets, Cap’n,”[/color] Cynric replied with a smirk. [color=DC143C]“E’en you, I reckon. But yer right, I can be a wee bit mer honest, aye. First o’ aw’, ta’ name’s nae Cynric. ‘Tis Cynwaer.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk nodded slowly. [color=1E90FF]“Then your ship?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Ah, she’s nae [i]Recompense[/i], either. She’s [i]Remembrance[/i]. Third o’ ‘er name, I’d add.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“I see,”[/color] was all Sjan-dehk said. That Cynwaer used false names for both himself and his ship wasn’t much of an issue to him. For one, he found every name to be equally difficult to pronounce properly. And for two, any rebel worth their salt wouldn’t go around introducing themselves with their actual names right from the very start. That said, Sjan-dehk couldn’t help but be curious—just how well-known was Cynwaer, that he’d have to be careful with his name, but could still walk around the Caesonian capital without issue? And just how active of a rebel was he, to already be on his third vessel?

Sjan-dehk pushed those questions to one side for the moment—there’d be time and opportunity to find the answers to them, hopefully. He cleared his throat. [color=1E90FF]“So, you say you are a…Rebel. Please tell me, what is it exactly that you do?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Well,”[/color] Cynwaer began with a shrug. [color=DC143C]“We try tae dae aw’ sorts, aye we dae, but most times we end up jus’ gae’n after ships flyin’ a Caesonian flag. There’s nae shortage o’ ‘em, after aw’.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk bristled. His eyes narrowed. [color=1E90FF]“So you are a pirate?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Oi, oi, dae’n lump us in wi’ those wee scunners,”[/color] Cynwaer said quickly, a hint of an edge to his words. [color=DC143C]“I’ll admit we sometimes use ta’ same methods, an’ maybe use ta’ same sort o’ flags if it ‘elps end a fight ‘fore it e’en starts, but we’re nae pirates. We dae’n ‘urt fellas wi’ nothin’ tae dae wi’ Caesonia, fer one. Aw’ we’re interested in fightin’ are those who chose tae fight fer ta’ crown. An’ fer twa, unlike yer run-o’-ta’-mill pirate, we dae’n gae out o’ our way tae avoid warships. We hunt ‘em down like any other ship, aye we dae.”[/color]

To be very honest, it all sounded like sophistry to Sjan-dehk’s ears—plenty of words, but ultimately, they all meant very little. Cynwaer still plied a trade by hunting ships, and by the sound of things, unarmed vessels were also fair game to him. That made him a pirate in Sjan-dehk’s books. 

But still, he asked, [color=1E90FF]“And the things you take from the ships? What do you do with them?”[/color]

Once again, Cynwaer shrugged. [color=DC143C]“I’ll be honest wi’ ye, Cap’n. It really depends. If there’s powder and shot, we’ll take ‘em fer oursel’s. If we find other cargo, we’ll jus’ take what we need an’ what we can use, aye we will. What we cannae carry, we’ll let sink wi’ ta’ wreck. If there’s a friendly settlement nearby, we’ll share ta’ spoils wi’ ‘em. Give ‘em what ta’ crown will’nae provide, an’ aw’.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk nodded slowly. [color=1E90FF]“And the prisoners?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Again, it depends,”[/color] Cynwaer said. [color=DC143C]“If they’ve nothin’ tae dae wi’ ta’ crown, we’ll cut ‘em free. Put ‘em on a boat an’ point ‘em in ta’ direction o’ land, aye.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“And if they have…Things to do with the crown?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Well, I’ll leave ‘em a choice. They can either join us, or…”[/color] Cynwaer trailed off, looking at Sjan-dehk with a cryptic glint in his eyes, and his face serious. [color=DC143C]“I think ye know what’s ta’ other option, aye. Officers, though, I dae’n let ‘em ‘ave ta’ choice, tae be very honest. Ta’ regular sailor, they probably dae’n know anythin, an’ only care that they’re gettin’ paid. An officer, though, took a commission frae ta’ crown, aye they did, which makes ‘em complicit, if yer ask me.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk grimaced. What Cynwaer was describing was sounding awfully less like piracy, and more like a policy one might adopt during a war. Strangely enough, that thought put him at ease—at least now he was now mostly certain that Cynwaer, despite his methods, was unlikely to be a pirate trying to find excuses for his actions, and was indeed rising in rebellion against the crown. It still left him with a question that refused to budge from his mind, however—why was he rebelling?

[color=1E90FF]“Complicit?”[/color] Sjan-dehk asked. [color=1E90FF]“In what?”[/color]

Cynwaer chuckled. Then, he took a step back from the taffrail and spread his arms wide. [color=DC143C]“In what? Well, in ev’rythin’, Cap’n. In ev’ry inequality, ev’ry cruelty, an’ ev’ry injustice in Caesonia. Surely ye’ve seen it, seen ‘ow ta’ nobles feast an’ gorge, while ta’ common folk go ‘ungry. Or ‘ow they keep taxin’ their people ta’ pay fer whatever shite they’re wantin’ ta’ ‘ost in their estates, or ta’ capital. Ye’ve any idea ‘ow much people are givin’ up jus’ so those at ta’ top can ‘ave their wee parties? It’s feckin’ criminal, if ye ask me.”[/color]

Well, Sjan-dehk couldn’t deny that he’d thought about such things before. As much as he kept trying to tell himself that Caesonia was Caesonia, and Viserjanta was Viserjanta, he couldn’t help but feel as if the way things were done here were simply wrong. That he could attend a feast in the castle in the morning, where food and drink seemed endless, and then take a stroll through the slums that very evening, where a single loaf of unblemished bread could be considered a luxury, just felt immoral. Were this place governed under Commonwealth law, someone’s head would surely roll for such a thing. 

[color=1E90FF]“You are right,”[/color] Sjan-dehk said. [color=1E90FF]“I have seen it. The food, I mean. I do not know about taxation.”[/color]

Cynwaer brought his hands to his hips and looked out into the darkness. [color=DC143C]“I dae’n blame ye. I did’nae know about it ‘til I saw it fer mesel’. ‘Tis not aw’ways coin that they take, did ye know that? They’ll take ye winter stores if they wan’ tae. They’ll nae care if a few fellas starve, if a noble can ‘ave a feckin’ tea party.”[/color]

He let out a derisive laugh. [color=DC143C]“An’ they wan’ us tae see witches—I mean, arcanists as the enemy? They can aw’ go feck ‘emsel’s up ta’ arse wi’ a feckin’ ‘ammer. Ta’ crown an’ aw’ ta’ other feckin’ leeches are ta’ real enemy, aye they are.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk coughed into a fist, tapping a finger on the taffrail. While he could understand Cynwaer’s strong emotions towards the matter, he couldn’t help but feel a touch apprehensive. His gut told him that the man would soon ask him for a favour, or propose some kind of deal or other. Neither sounded appealing—even if Sjan-dehk sympathised with him, he was in no position to interfere with Caesonia’s own internal issues. 

[color=1E90FF]“So now that you tell me all this,”[/color] Sjan-dehk said slowly and carefully. [color=1E90FF]“What do you want from me?”[/color]

Cynwaer drew in a deep breath before speaking. [color=DC143C]“Well, I was ‘opin ye could lend a hand—”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“I cannot.”[/color]

Cynwaer looked at him and blinked. [color=DC143C]“I’ve nae e’en told ye what I’m askin’ fer yet, pal.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose, rubbed it for a while, then looked at Cynwaer with an impassive, serious expression about his face. [color=1E90FF]“I will not fight with you. You have my…Sympathies, but this, everything you say, it is still a Caesonian matter. I am Viserjantan. If I interfere, if I start attacking warships like you, it can become war. You must know this also. And I only have one ship. [i]Sada Kurau[/i]. Even if I help you, I cannot do much. I am sorry.”[/color]

Silence descended over the two of them, broken only by the quiet rustling of waves breaking against [i]Sada Kurau[/i]’s stern. Cynwaer held Sjan-dehk’s gaze, his visage inscrutable. 

Then, he laughed. [color=DC143C]“Well, ‘tis good that I’m nae askin’ ye tae fight, then.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk knitted his brows in confusion. [color=1E90FF]“You are…Not?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Nae, nae,”[/color] Cynwaer managed to say between chuckles. [color=DC143C]“I may be lookin’ fer allies, but I’m nae desperate an’ nae daft enough tae drag ye guns blazin’ intae this feckin’ mess.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“Then…What is it that you want?”[/color]

Cynwaer took a moment to compose himself, catching his breath and wiping the smile off of his face. Most of it, at least—he couldn’t quite get rid of the half-grin that pulled on a corner of his mouth. [color=DC143C]“I jus’ need twa things frae ye,”[/color] he began. [color=DC143C]“Firstly, ye’re one feckin’ lethal fella, I’ll gee’s ye that much, an’ I’m nae keen on bein’ on ta’ business end o’ yer guns. My gut tells me ta’ witchhunts are gae’n tae get mer intense, an’ that means I’ll likely return tae type an’ start attackin’ Caesonian ships again, aye. Anythin’ tae get in ta’ way o’ witchhunters, an’ aw’.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk nodded. [color=1E90FF]“And you want me to stay out of your way?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Aye.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“That is okay. And what is the second thing?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“I’m thinkin’ o’ hittin’ ta’ transport ships ta’ hardest,”[/color] Cynwaer said. [color=DC143C]“Those carryin’ witchhunters tae places farther out, or those carryin’ arcanists tae…Well, tae where they’ll be burned.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk grimaced. If there was one thing he truly hated about Caesonia, it was that. To condemn people to death for being able to use magic was simply barbaric. He couldn’t think of any other way to put it. They may as well start executing people for having differently coloured hair—it’d make as much sense. 

[color=DC143C]“That means I might be freein’ a lot o’ arcanists,”[/color] Cynwaer continued. [color=DC143C]“I feckin’ ‘ope so, at least. Anyway, I dae’n wan’tae end up wi’ a bunch o’ people wi’ no place tae go, an’ yer ta’ only fella I know who I can trust ‘em wi’, aye ye are.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“I am willing to do that,”[/color] Sjan-dehk replied. [color=1E90FF]“But you must remember, I only have [i]Sada Kurau[/i]. Maybe also [i]Sudah[/i]. I do not know how many people you are going to send, but we cannot take many.”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“I’ll find ye an island tae use, if that’s fine wi’ ye.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk blinked. [color=1E90FF]“You will…What?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Aye, I know jus’ about every feckin’ rock in these waters,”[/color] Cynwaer said with a shrug. [color=DC143C]“I can already think o’ a few that’ll dae the job, aye I can. If that suits ye, I’ll find ye a place tae ‘ide ‘em. Ye dae’n e’en ‘ave tae keep ‘em fer tae long, an’ we dae’n want ‘em stayin’ still fer tae long, either. Ye jus’ ‘ave tae keep ‘em safe ‘til my pals an’ I can move ‘em on elsewhere.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk nodded slowly. It sounded like a simple enough task, but already he knew that it wouldn’t be so, at least not until he could get the rest of the Viserjantans on board with the idea. As much as he disagreed with the witchhunts, it didn’t change the fact that by harbouring Caesonian arcanists, he—along with every other Viserjantan—would be breaking Caesonian law. But as much as the thought of drawing the attention of Caesonian authorities sat poorly with him, the notion of doing nothing while innocent arcanists died was even more foul. 

No, more than that. It felt like an insult to his very identity as a Jafin, as a Viserjantan.

[color=1E90FF]“Okay, then I can do that,”[/color] he replied. He would just have to convince the others in the flotilla to see things his way. Well, to be more accurate, he’d have to convince Lady Adiyan and Captain Kaizahn. Maybe even a few of the other senior arcanists and crew aboard [i]Sudah[/i], to be safe. Between the bunch of them, they’d be able to sway the opinion of the others in his favour. 

A grimace flashed across Sjan-dehk’s face. It would be a task easier said than done, but it would be a task for later. For now, it was all he could do to plan and prepare. 

[color=DC143C]“Feckin’ fantastic,”[/color] Cynwaer said. He pushed a hand into his coat pocket, fishing out a small, very battered box. He flipped it open—that single act almost tearing it apart—and brought it to his mouth. With his teeth, he pulled out a thin, rolled stick. [color=DC143C]“I need a feckin’ smoke after aw’ that talkin’, aye I dae. Ye dae’n mind, do ye, Cap’n?”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“I do not."[/color]

For a moment, and several moments after that, the two of them simply gazed out at the sea. Overhead, an overcast sky, thick with purplish clouds, hid the moon from view. Sudah’s lanterns continued to flicker, their dim light scattered by the mist. Waves lapped gently at [i]Sada Kurau[/i]’s hull, their gentle noise accompanied by the sharp clicks of Cynwaer’s lighter as he sparked a flame for his cigarette. 

Sjan-dehk cleared his throat. [color=1E90FF]“I am sorry, but I am just curious. Just now, when you told me why you want to fight the crown, you talked a lot about food. Hunger. Money. Taxes. So I am just wondering, why are you going so far to help arcanists? I do not mean to say that it is a bad thing. Only I am curious.”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“‘Tis a fair question, aye,”[/color] Cynwaer said, plucking his cigarette from his lips. Then, he sighed and pushed it back into its perch, seemingly deep in thought. Only after exhaling a few puffs of smoke did he speak. [color=DC143C]“I’ve me own reasons fer dae’n what I dae, an’ that’s aw’ I can say fer now, Cap’n. ‘Tis nae that I dae’n wan’tae be honest, dae’n get me wrong. ‘Tis jus’...Some things’re ‘arder tae say than others, aye?”[/color]

Sjan-dehk could understand that. He’d heard more or less the same words from many, many people over his years of fighting at sea. Not everything could be said easily. Some things never become easy enough to ever be expressed. That was normal. [color=1E90FF]“Yes—”[/color] he began, but then stopped himself abruptly. With a slight grin, he said, [color=1E90FF]“I mean, aye.”[/color]

Cynwaer chuckled. [color=DC143C]“Now ye’re gettin’ it! S’pose I should pick up some o’ ye lingo mesel’, now.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk looked out at the sea. Deep in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of apprehension. Was this truly the smart thing to do? He knew it was the right thing to do—that was undeniable. But was it wise, and would manage to see things through to success? What even was success? The rescue of every last Caesonian arcanist? 

Or was he just setting himself up for what could be the most terrible failure of his life?

He chewed on his lip, then shook his head. Well, whatever it was, it was too late now. He’d already given Cynwaer his word, and he’d be damned if he didn’t try his best to live up to it. [color=1E90FF][i]“Navigator, guide me on the proper path,”[/i][/color] he muttered beneath his breath. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d appealed to spirits or deities, but now seemed like a very good time to start. [color=1E90FF][i]“And come what may.”[/i][/color]

A chilly, midnight breeze washed over [i]Sada Kurau[/i]’s deck. Had Sjan-dehk been paying attention, and were it not for Cynwaer’s loud swearing as his cigarette went out, he might have heard a whispered, ethereal reply. 

[color=7ABAFF][center][i]“Very well, my lost Jafin child.”[/i][/center][/color]