#dreaming

And they approach the port, Siv warns "These towns will let any one in, pirates, cutthroats, thieves, and methodists... do not trust smiling faces."

Snort-grin.

Vali blinks "And methodists?"

"Let's get to the pier," Siv waves him off and they close. Fortunately, no one attacks. No one challenges. This place really does let anyone in.

Dag is alert, enjoying the spectacle.

They go down the ramp and onto the docks. Siv turns, and with her bottle sucks in the now deserted ship.

"Handy this," Siv says

Dagmar notices there are a lot of armed chimera, kithain, and dark kin wandering... even Thallian. Seems EVERYONE has a weapon.

But do they have one to rival Flyswatter?

Actually, one guy has a two handed blade of kris design with Damascus patterns with a pulse emerald in the hilt that seems to dart about like a green eye of wrath!

So - no, then.

hurtful.

we carry on.

They move through the crowds, Siv says "Vali, why is every other person looking at you?"

He coughs "I'm a Beaumayn, Thallians.. kind of hate us. Hunt us. So on."

"Well, shit." Siv says

"They can try "

Vali says calmly "They will. " Then he smiles "Looking forward to that" Not a lie.

Indeed, a few move ahead... others trail behind. Thallian it seems.

Ironhawk says "They're trying to herd us.. we either need to pick a place to fight, or go into a place they won't try to fight maybe?"

"How come you're trying to spoil my fun?" Vali says.

"We're not here so you can kill Thallian, Vali," Siv says and looks about "Let's see, or options are that alleyway they clearly want to herd us into... a bordello... or that tavern. What do you think, Dagmar?"

"Tavern. Might be allies, or at least more chaos."

"Also I'm a married man." her father says

"I didn't think either of you would partake" Siv assures Vali and Jaymes.

"Not the point. Won't have it said I was seen there" Jaymes says simply "Won't dishonor her."

"Well, Tavern it is then," Siv says and goes in

"Besides, it fits the story better..." SHe follows

"Good point" And they enter a crowded tavern that smells of more ale than vomit, which is a good sign. Chimera and Kithain alike talk and chat.

The bartender is a chimera, a four armed middleaged seeming barrel of a man. "What will it be? Drinks? Information, or Wisdom?"

"Oh! Information!"

He taps the counter "Bit of coin if you would. Something from the waking world is fine"

"I have a Spirit of 76 quarter..."

"ooo yes yes, sure" He says "What do you want to know?"

Siv looks at her, "your quarter, your questions"

"What does the captain of the Harpy desire most in the world?"

"The hand of the daughter of the Shacklebreaker" THe man says

Siv blinks

Then she takes out a dime, "Will this buy me a shot of rum or whiskey? I need a drink"

One is provided, Siv downs it hard and fast, then says "The fuck you say?"

The bartender repeats "He desires the hand of the daughter of the Shacklebreaker"

"Please be talking about Jessica" Siv mutters to the Dreaming

"You know it's not," Vali says

"That's insane." Siv says "The man and I have clashed at sea a dozen times! There are whole adventures I've forgotten" She says

"Makes sense." She shrugs.

"So how do we use that, honorably?"

"Makes sense?" Siv looks at her "Are you balmly? Why would it make sense that someone who I fight with all the time would be attracted to me?"

"Uh, Jonas?"

"Uh, Bancroft?"

"You like that."