Rhy'Din a Port of Call

[selena]

Teach us…

To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest…

--St. Ignatius Loyola

The morning had dawned clear and cold, with a crispness that hinted at the end of fall and the onset of a brutal winter. He had set forth at daybreak to see a man beheaded, twenty in all, and Jonas rode alone, nervous with trepidation. The beheading was merely an excuse to be in the merkat cross square along with all the other gawking villagers. There was the business with the recently docked ship from the Americas to be seen to, as well.

He shivered and cast a fleeting glance toward the platform where the heads would roll, waiting high above the unthreatened heads of the crowd, as the sharp breeze of December whipped dark hair into his eyes. Perhaps, he brooded and not for the first time, he was oversensitive for a man who worked with the dangerous elements of the world.

He elbowed his way onward, through the clamorous crowd of errand boys in smocks, domestics in shabby castoff finery, and craftsmen in work aprons who slouched about, playing truant from their trades for half an hour’s free entertainment. The muddy square between the city hall and the frozen river swarmed with spectators, pushing, joking. Here and there a fledging Noble, flaunting the exaggerated fashions of the season, blossomed like a hothouse flower amid the weeds. Though Jonas wore no tricolor sash, the mark of an Apothecary or Machi, they made way for him, reluctantly parting ranks before the austere black suit.

Business had been conducted amidst the constant slicing thump of the executioner's ax struck. It was a bitter reminder of what was at stake. But Jonas was too cautious and aware of his surroundings to be caught, and as night had fallen, the breath of man and horse mingled and steaming in the cold air, had returned home safely. Over the head of man and beast flapped the banner of the Barristan’s of Hallowell, welcoming their safe return. Reflecting on the day, he stood immobile for along moment, until a fat snowdrop stung his cheek.

His best friend, Frederick DeWitt had died on just such a day as this, he recalled, a bleak autumn morning with a cold, leaden sky and spattering rain. Three years ago...the last day of November. He closed his eyes for an instant at the touch of another cold drop before prying open his eyes to search out that window were he’d seen the silhouette of that very man’s widow that morning when he departed, waiting patiently for Jonas to return.

Jonas dismounted the steed and tossed the reins to the stable boy who had rushed out to meet him. After Jonas wrestled the delicate package from the horse’s traveling satchel he headed for the stone steps that lead up to the large oak door that held the world at bay. Feeling watched, he looked up at the window, no light other than the faint flicker of the candle in his study, and one pale face peering down at him through a dark pane.

He clasped cold hands before him, shivering suddenly, and not from the chill river breeze alone. Men made mistakes; it was the natural way of things. Impossible that you would never make a mistake, accuse wrongly, and perhaps unwittingly destroy a life but…”I should never have taught her this wickedness.”

Only a fat candle in a cracked and rose tinted glass on the corner desk illuminated the room Selena was entombed within. Each time a draft found the flame, melting light buttered the limestone walls and waves of fluid shadowed oiled the corners.

Embraced by stone, steeped in silence, she sat at the high window as Jonas toiled somewhere out there in the night on a task she had set him upon. Without a silvering of light, the window did not reflect her face. She had a clear view of the night beyond the panes. She had hoped to witness that magical moment when the snow began to fall in earnest. Earlier the sky had shed a few flakes, then nothing more. The pending storm would not be rushed.

Sometimes, she thought, lying wide awake in the dark, your dreams were bizarre or grotesque, altogether divorced from reality; at other times they reflected a fantastic, distorted version of your everyday existence. This dream had been neither. It had played the scene as she had remembered it far too often over the course of the past three and a half years, not a word or movement out of place.

The bells of St. Friedesweide were just ringing for Vespers when Jonas Barristan came striding into the soft nest of his study. The young woman examined Jonas more thoroughly, taking in his shabby black suit, well-worn top boots, lank dark hair threaded with gray. That he was the same age as her departed husband, almost twenty years her senior, was finally beginning to show. Forbidden and agreed by both to ignore, nay, to refuse the use of titles that would identify and condemn, she simply greeted him with a lowering of her chin, her eyes held spellbound by what she was reading in his own. “You never were very good at hiding the truth from me, Jonas. So, I suppose the deed is done and our ship has come in?”

"Indeed." Jowly, brooding Jonas Barristan looked rather like a frog, a smug frog who had gotten rather above himself. He strode further into the room, opting for a change of subject than a direct answer. "We have sore need of you, my darling, Selena. Rebellion everywhere, this grim omen in the sky, rioting in the city streets, multitudes sick or injured, the killings continue . . .You could aid us well with your knowledge.” The same weary and tired attempts to convince her to leave this confounded lifestyle would fall on deaf ears. Of this he already knew. But he would never stop trying. After a moment’s hesitation, he sighed reluctantly and set the package of requested items carefully upon the table. “Aye. Aye, it has. But helping to kill one more noble will not bring him back, Selena.”

"Fascinating, but I have no idea what you are implying, Jonas. " said Selena as she rose from the window seat to cross the room, meeting him opposite the long table. " I have killed no one. And it is all the more reason I'd sooner bed down in a dungeon then give in to them now or lift a hand to help those wretched people."

’Perhaps you'll get that wish, if you are not careful’, Jonas thought, but he said, "Courage and folly are cousins, or so I've heard. Whatever curse may linger over these lands, I pray you are small enough to escape its notice." Reluctantly, he passed the delicate package across to her waiting hands.

[selena]

A brisk stride carried her beneath the naked limbs of the trees, crossing from the path onto the cobbled road with ease, despite her distracted state. The week had turned out better than she had expected yet exasperating as well as overwhelming. Too many memories brought to the surface. Still, she was behind schedule. Ticking off the days remaining, she glanced up to the sky, praying the snow would hold for at least a while longer. Shaking off the worry as she reached the tavern, she hesitated in her steps, adjusting the satchel on her hip before climbing the steps. She was trying to stifle a grin at an overheard quip as she reached the stoop. "Good Evening." General greeting to the lot of the porch dwellers while she was craning her neck to the side to catch a glimpse through frost tinged windows.

There was a twitch at her temple followed by a deep intake of breath, a plume of warm air exhaled upon the night air as she turned for the door. Grimy windows, frosted over were no good. Settling her shoulder to the door, she was already retrieving a piece of papyrus from her pocket and a quill from the other as she traveled across the tap room to find Bess. "Evening, Dove. Coffee, please." Which she had no intention of touching.

As the cup was set before her, she placed the coins to the bar then the papyrus, smoothing it out before she dipped the end of the quill into the steaming beverage. "Have you seen Ekaternia this evening?" Already her head was bent as she scribbled out the note Bess would pass on. Incidentally, she completely missed the frown from Bess as she mumbled some response and headed off to another that would more fully appreciate her culinary delights.

She paused long enough to reread the note; cryptic, incredibly vague. After a moments consideration, she dipped the quill one more time and sketched out a small spider. She
somehow managed to hold back the shudder of revulsion. It was then her head lifted, glancing about the bars area for something else. Whatever it was she needed was not to be
found. Not in sight at any rate. With yet another exasperated sigh, there had many these last three days, she carefully wiped the end of the quill on the edge of her pea coat, then with it held steadily in her right hand, she pricked the tip of her index finger upon her left hand. The drop of blood gained was placed carefully upon the back of the crudely drawn spider. An artist, she was not. Immediately, before it could dry, there was an X placed across the spider. She would understand. Hopefully.

As her index finger found its way into her mouth to suck away the pinch of pain, it was just as quickly forgotten. Papyrus folded over, she took the nearby taper and dripped the wax upon it to be sealed. Only then did she glance up to find Bess once more.

There was a murmur of words passed with Bess, the message slid across the bar to be taken by plump hands and lost far within a pocket with a deep nod of understanding from Bess. It was only after four more coins were placed to the bar that she was forgiven about the coffee and a small vessel of spiced rum was set before her. "Thanks, luv. " With that done, she was turning with a heavy sigh of relief and heading for the door with the drink in hand. Emerging on to the porch once more, she stepped to the side, away from the door, then just leaned back against that exterior wall to catch her breath and take a much needed gulp of the drink.

"Jhalryna find'ja earlier Cianan?" Plump lips twitched while she gave serious consideration to putting the kitten in its place, again. You don't take care of an animal for months, without it learning the rules. "Doin' good how're" Flag of a wave sent o to Selena as well. "Evenin'." Chipper, and at her ease this evening.

Drawing the drink from her mouth, she cut her distracted gaze to the side, finding Thorn in her sights. A smile was instant as she lifted her drink in tribute to the woman with a dip
of her head. "Good evening, precious." Her gaze drifted from Thorn to the lass and Captain, then detoured over to Dorian with a mild smile "Evening." before slicing back to Thorn.

"Evenin' t' you too sweetenin'." Amethyst followed Devin's moment taking before they snapped back to scan the porch. Plump lips tipped at their right most corner toward the pouncing and such. "Teh-zee." Murmured dark and thick to the dogs that shifted. "How's doin'?" Again, the question came in a general fashion. Flag of a wave fired off for Dorian and the girl Muirin.Or, well the girl Marsali then. Same girl, different name. A common enough thing around here.

Was that question shot at her? Or Devin? She looked aside to ascertain the chances before looking back to Thorn with a confused smile. About to respond, something more important seemed to be unfolding, so she held her tongue.

To Selena yes. " 'S nice meetin' y' hun." Even if, they'd already been almost introduced once before yes? Cup set aside on the railing long enough for the blond to reach down and ruffle the ears of her dogs.

Reluctant to interfere, she debated on moving towards Thorn and a question. But upon espying the developing enclosure of a group about to delve into serious talk, she stayed where she was, watching the night sky for hints of more snow. And there was the spiced drink to consider as well before she would head off for more headaches.

No, really its alright. There's rarely a time when Thorn's massively serious in public, unless she's absolutely tanked. And people ask the right questions. The railing beside her was patted in invitation to Selena.

She was licking a sticky spot off the pad of flesh on her thumb when she saw the patting invitation. With a good natured laugh, she glanced once more to the sky available beyond the eaves of the porch and pushed away from the wall. "I don't want to interrupt. I just had a question." Glancing upwards as Thorn was invited to more drink, she fell silent once more.

"Didn' hit it like it was mine hun, there's still a bit left f'r y' t' swallow." More than half to be honest. Like she said, she hadn't treated it as though it were hers. Nose wrinkling grin for the trio there. "Hmm? What'cha need sweetness?" Question as a prod for Selena to ask as she wished.

"Evening Selena," shifting focus there as he looped an arm over Marsali's shoulders.

She was studying the group on the porch. Perhaps not trusting the lot of them, simply by not knowing them. .Shattered out of her study, pale green eyes snapped back toward the man, followed by a deceptively easy smile. "Hello, Sir." Or there might have been more. With a tweak of her brows in concentration, or a frown, she leaned toward Thorn with a soft whisper as she drew her gaze away from the man to focus on a spot somewhere in the distance.

"Lorcan," he knew her name and thought they had met. If not then they did now.

Tip of her head to the right, and she shuddered, visible twist and twitch of supple spine before she replied in kind to Selena.

She made some obscure motion with her hand, indicating the impossible as she replied.

Obscure gesture, or Selena's answer had Thorn twisting around to look at the woman as though she'd just flashed her. And wasn't built like a woman. Before responding. "Cianan, y' got any black widows 'roun' the guest house?" When in doubt, ask the drow.

She leaned back with a dejected sigh before looking to that small vessel of drinking and swallowing the remainder down. She nodded with a mild smile, as if discussing the oddness of the weather. "I would appreciate it."

"No. No black windows. Just heavy curtains over everything." Better, because they could be removed if they needed to be, and kept the heat in. " ...Why?"

...Oh the look he's getting. "Need somethin'. 'Mere." What? Just because there was whispering involved it was a secret?

Cianan bent down, to snag the kitten off of his boot, before taking the few steps closer to Thorn. " ...What..?" And, he'd just lean in a bit.

There was perhaps a relapse in her memory as she looked back to the man and offered a sheepish smile. "Please forgive me, Lorcan. My head was stuck in a window when your name was tossed to me. I wasn't sure which of you was who. And yet it is still a pleasure to meet you both, now that I have names assigned. Do forgive my incompetence."

Cianan just tilted his head to the side after hearing the request.:: " Really?" A twitch of his lip. "Sure. I can do that. No problem."

"Good. Noon, n' later." Very serious she is about time and dead lines once she gives them. Happy butt wiggle was accompanied by an entirely smug smile. Slow slide of amethyst to Lorcan and company. "C'n I get a bit outta y'r flask now sweetenin'?" Rather felt that she deserved a drink, and she's too comfortably settled to hop down and fetch her own bottle.

"I think it is this place at this time of night." Hard to keep track of conversations and a question shot your way missed when normally it would not be. There were quite a few around.

Cianan was just nodding his head. "You bet. Noon. It'll be on your doorstep." His hand went into his pocket, and his cat, seemingly boneless was all but dripping from his hand, in relaxed state.

"Entirely possible." Offered with a slow smile as she tipped her gaze toward the man then settled back, contemplating.

"Y're handled Selena." Quiet aside to the woman. "Thank y' baby-doll." Summer warm smile offered for the borrowing of the flask. A humming sound followed the long pull, pure appreciaton in the bae of her throat.

Leaning back, she enveloped herself in what little shadows was offered on the porch so she might look toward the road, watching for the unexpected. "Thanks, luv." An aside to Thorn, as she herself was still catching up on the world at large.

"Oh, y're welcome hun." That for Selena. " 'M gettin' a bottle, an'one wan' an'thin' while 'm there?" Slide-hopping off of the railing with an understated grace, boot soles on porch boards sounding during the crossing to the window.

With the rest of her drink finished, she was out of her lean, a short reach to set the vessel aside for Becky or another to collect. "I must be away." She glanced to Thorn then to the lot of the porch dwellers as she started for the steps. "May the sun always be on your back." She paused until she hit the second step, then continued through the snow. "Otherwise we will be knee deep in this stuff. Goodnight." A hand lifted to wave back to them all.

"Have a good evenin' Selena."

[selena]

It was said, in Maturin, that the wind has a soul, and that it wails through the narrow city streets because it is grieved by what it finds there. On the day after the celebration in this remote city it whistled amongst the swaying masts in the bay, rushed through the Western Gates and screamed between the buildings. Then, as if appalled by the ragged and disinterested souls it met there, it quieted to a whimper. Amused with the rise and fall of it's disembodied cries, she carried on with a low hum on her lips.

Plumes of warm breath littered the air before her face. As she peered around the edge of her hood, she espied a guard slouched in the entrance of the alley. His mouth was curled into a sneer of disdain; his gaze flitted from figure to figure that ventured past his post. She narrowed her eyes at him, but when his head turned in her direction, she quickly moved on, heading for the tavern through a crunch of hardening, packed snow. The afternoon with Jonas and his oddities had left her skittish and paranoid, perhaps. With carefully placed steps, she was climbing upwards to gain the porch stoop where she paused to catch her breath and offer a smile to those there. "Evening." A cheery smiled shot right back at Thorn before she was suddenly remembering why she was there to begin with. "Hello!"

Flag of a wave for Selena and a sun bright smile.

A wiggle of fingers Selena's way and a moment to look up at her from his messages " Evening" and right back to reading and sipping his tea he went.

Focus switched from the never stilled door to a voice he recalled. Vaguely. Flirting night that ran amuck a few weeks ago. She had a name too as he raked his memory. "Evening Selena."

Pleased to note she wasn't the only one with a passion for the written word, in whatever form, her gaze skittered past Ben after a warm smile was dropped there as well before she looked to the other, brows lifting as mirth filled her eyes. "And hello to you as well, Sir Kissing bandit."

Selena might change that idea if she had any idea what he was reading. Free lance work notices from the town guard where not exactly Shakespeare

"No mooch o' a bandit iffin me lips tasted nae o' yers." Brogue was there again as he lifted the bottle of potcheen to take a drink. It was then he realized it was empty and tossed it over a shoulder. Kyle had another?

He was literate. That was all that mattered. Stepping across sprawled legs and side stepping lounging forms, she was eyeing the window where that elusive form of Becky was known to loiter. A wry grin shot over her shoulder as she looked back to Adrian with a wink. "One must be studious if they are to keep a hard earned reputation. And you without your devil weed of berries. Tsk" A wink was shot at Thorn, since she was the recipient of the last bandit raid, or so she assumed. Laughing as she paused near the window, she bent forward, "Is there fresh coffee, by any rare chance?"

"He doesnae need th' mistletoe tae kiss a lass, lass." A slow blink then he was snickering at himself.

Head canted to the side, eyeing the one that spoke up with amusement. "I dare say, you are probably correct. Coffee." Murmured to the girl when she suddenly appeared from seemingly no here. Spooky chit. "Please."

"Aye, it was the devil's weed bae the culprit. Sooch on yuletide beastie tak'in advantage tae warm mae lips from th' nectar o' th' gods, perhaps bae a goddess," dark eyes shifting the initial glance from Selena back to Thorn with a flash of a bright smile. He may not need to one bit but he could blame it on the weed.

Three pale coins were retrieved from an inner pocket and exchanged with the girl for the mug of coffee. Glancing past her towards Bess, she lifted her head, barely perceptible signal to the bar keep before she was turning to look back to the two men then to Thorn. She wasn't entirely sure she understood one hundred percent what the man had just said. Or what any of these conversations were about to begin with. When in doubt, remain silent and smile.

She'd received the missive from Thorn, so she was slipping through the porch crowd to venture inside for a moment. Loose ends to tie up and all. A slow and cautious sip of the coffee taken along the way to lower the dangerous level of liquid. "Good evening." That to Des as she passed, finally getting in a decent acknowledgement before one or both of them disappeared again.

Once inside the tavern, scents and noise assaulted her and the smile slipped away as business sense took over. The walk was brisk, eyes leveled and clear as she moved to the far end of the bar. Bess received a cursory glance in passing, a motion of her hand indicating where she was headed.

She ventured a sidelong glance to the youth talking to himself before Bess was to her end of the bar, the package slid across the bars expanse of wood. There was a mere seconds pause before Bess scooped up the coins she'd placed there and turned without a word to see what the one mumbling was in need of. Checking to ensure the seal had not been broken, the small parcel was slipped within an inner pocket and she was twisting away from the bar, retracing her footsteps.

She was chuckling quietly about something when she stepped back through the door. Of course, a deep breath was immediately sucked into her lungs before the coffee was tested once more. Thorn received a scant dip of her head when the mug was lowered to be cupped in the palm of her left hand. The woman would be paid for her help, but not in the middle of all of this.

"Selena, 's Desdenova. Desdenova, 's Selena. An' Adrian, an' his brother Kyle. Kyle, Adrian, 's Desdenova." Whether or not the Frasiers will remember come sobriety is left to interpretation.

Brief smile to Selena, Thorn didn't expect to be paid so it would be a surprise later. Fresh cup of caffeinated, over-sugared goodness in hand she left off her post at the window and cast a glance over the Frasiers to see how they were holding up.

To the two whose names she had yet to get, Karma and Desdenova, she smiled. "I am Selena. Pleasure to meet you both." To save Thorn the trouble of having to do it yet again. Amused glance to the two she was checking up on, brows lifting slightly at both quips. She didn't venture to interrupt, but glanced back to the two she'd tossed her name at.

"Oh! I said hello to you earlier, but, you but you were busy with other things. I'm Karma! Pleasure to meet you!"

Desdenova. ::Soft response to Selena, a faint movement of head. Really, he seemed just his own shadow cast to the wall, by then.::

The coffee was finished off with a final lift of the mug, only to be set aside at a small side table. "Desdenova." A tip of her head as she stood straight once more then glance to the other gent, "Karma. So sorry, I am often lost in the clouds or in the voices of so many talking." Lifting the lid of the cloak back to settle over her head, her hands were soon after lost in the voluminous sleeves. "Have a pleasant evening." Offered for them all as she was suddenly in turn for the steps. Another stop to make along the path home. And it was getting late.

Kamra was just smiling, "Don't worry about it! We've met now! And, it would have happened eventually, if not now, I'm sure!" He was just throwing a wave towards the woman making a quick escape.

August released from the hug, she stepped back and turned to fire a wave at the Frasiers, having over heard their plans to leave. And, one for Selena as well. "Y'all have a good evenin'. See y' next time." Not a question,a statement.

"A guid night tae yea Selena, mayhap our paths cross again."

She was laughing aloud as she hit the ground with booted feet, a glance cast back to the one of the porch. "Indeed! Safe travels." Her hand snaking out from the folds of wool to be waved before she was spinning in a walking turn to nod a farewell to the rest of them and without another word, disappearing around a corner.

[selena]

The day hadn't started out exactly as planned, but the end result was still satisfactory. Her eyes were still focused on what could be seen at the end of the path before she deviated from her original destination and veered off for the tavern. With one fraction of the delivery still to be made, she had hopes of having that portion of the job completed soon. Any drinks she obtained in the process was just a bonus.

Fear, like the rumor of plague, can empty a city's streets. The market square on that cold afternoon had seemed oddly empty. The denizens had apparently stayed behind closed doors as though, after a week of revelry, they were suddenly ashamed of the horrors they had fetched on their city. There was a silence, not an absolute quiet, but a strange, almost reverent, hush in which a raised voice seemed out of place. Until the pitch and fall of the voices of the tavern patrons reached her when she rounded a corner and started across the packed snow. The place never seemed to be without those willing to be parted with their coins. Herself included, on occasion.

The steps were climbed with care, skirt layers lifted to prevent tripping beneath the heavy wool of her cloak. A smile was offered to Karma and his lady friend as she stepped out of the way. "Afternoon." A quiet greeting for the two before she glanced across the length of the porch as if in search of someone. She was chuckling as she drew her gaze aside from the search to glance back to the two. "And you as well. Stay warm." The clutch upon her skirt was finally released as she turned to move for the door.

Using her shoulder as the motivator to ease the door open, she slipped inside, removing the hood that stood as a barrier to an unobstructed view. "Afternoon, Bess." The gloves were tugged off with practiced ease as she moved toward the bar matron. The tap room seemed as empty as the market square. At least she wasn't going to have to shout to hear herself or strain to hear Bess. "Coffee, please. And could you add a dollop or three of Irish whiskey?" Gloves were tucked away into separate pockets, the edges of the cloak folded back across her shoulders. The clasp at her throat ensured the article would not slip free and puddle to the floor. Folding both arms before her, the gaze dropped to examine the whorls in the woods grain, contemplating the questioning that would soon commence.

As luck would have it, Bess was in a jovial mood that evening. She'd probably found a small dog to kick or a child to berate. Grinning awkwardly at the woman, she thanked her soundly for the coffee, well tainted with the Irish whiskey, then drew in a deep breath, hoping the spell would not be broken with her questions. "Has Miss Ekaterina been about to gather the ..the parcel?" The mug was casually lifted after the initial question to test the contents of the mug.

Knowing the deadline that had to be met, she was hoping the lack of one specimen had not deterred the woman and her mission. Selena was glancing to the door then the windows before looking back to Bess with her grunted reply followed by a nod. '"Ahh, well. Very good." The mug was taken into her hand before she was pushing off the bar from her lean. Three more pale coins left on the bar for the woman's help
before she was moving off to find a table somewhere near the hearth but not so close she would melt or suffer a heat stroke once the place filled up to capacity again.

The clasp at her throat holding the cloak in place was released, allowing it to slip from her shoulders and fall to the ladder back of the chair she had settled into. A leather bound journal, scarred and weathered beyond repair, was placed to the table along side the mug of coffee. For the moment, she contented herself with gazing out the frost covered windows. Jonas was mixed up in something she couldn't understand and Royce, that lovable but despicable Libertine, was becoming a liability. She turned away from the view of cold imprinted on the window panes to settle her attention back on the journal.

The cord holding it closed was tugged free, the papyrus sheets yellowed and crinkled fell open to the last entry made for the month. With neither a name or mark of identifying feature noted to identify the buyer, it was for her alone to decipher the customers she dealt with daily.

She could taste a foul dread in the air, feel doom dance along her spine as it wafted in with the wind rushing across the room as the door closed behind another entering. Her attention naturally turned to the fire banked within the hearth as sparks flew. She was suddenly up with the cloak gathered into her arms, the journal tucked away within the folds of wool. The package for the Dane was slid across the bar as she passed. Bess would see to it, as secured with a flip of two more coins. There were other stops to be made along the path home and she'd dallied at the tavern for much too long.