Doubled Deception

The sun continued its inexorable march forward, and the ship continued its journey. Hethir spent most of the day near the helm. Occasionally he corrected course, but mostly he just didn’t want to look at the knight, Trace. The mercenaries had been given run of the ship, all except the rest of the quarters and the poop deck. The man Garius had made brief attempts to convince the crew to gamble with the cards he had, but Hethir had made clear to his crew that the mercs were to be ignored as much as possible, and they followed orders well.

Now Garius was scowling at the ocean as the waves rocked past. The knight and the mage had both gone below-decks, and Hethir had relaxed a bit. Looking out over the back of the ship, he let his mind wander and his eyes just take in the sea. As much as he would like to simply throw the knight overboard, his presence would make contacting the Archbishop far easier. What a day… taking a knight on my ship, and on the way to talk to an Archbishop. A week ago I’d have laughed at such a situation…

A subconscious part of his mind that was always paying attention to the inhabitants of his ship suddenly yanked on his attention. He looked up to see that Garius had been joined at the railing, and Val had put on a new dress.

What are you doing Val?

Hethir got the impression that she would be scowling at him if she could see him.

Having a nice pleasant conversation, so butt out.

Right, enjoy that one, you two have matching scowls.

“How did a darling like you end up with a guy as scary as him?”

Val’s face displayed none of her confusion--or mirth--as she smiled back at Garius, “Oh dear Hethir, has he been playing at frightening again? He really is such a big softie.” Dropping her voice to a stage whisper she leaned a bit closer, placing a hand on his arm. “I think he’s worried the crew might disrespect him, it is hard for him when he can’t have me around.”

Garius laughed in a choked sort of way. His attempts to conceal it simply making it more obvious. “I’ve known men like that, always playing themselves up, but in the end they all just bow and scrape to their wives.”

“Clearly they know how to survive in married life then!”

“And that, Lady, is why I don’t plan on being married.”

“Oh?”

“Way I sees it, man can’t respect himself like that, and if the man don’t respect himself, neither will any woman.”

Val laughed, the crystalline sound lost none of its effect on Garius, who grinned back boyishly. “Oh you are a smart one! I shall be glad to have you around, it shall make this tedious voyage ever so much more enjoyable!”

“Glad to be of service, especially with how dull this crew is, I was beginning to worry about that myself.”

“Oh but haven’t you other companions?”

Garius snorted, “Trace and Mary? Bah, he wouldn’t know a good time if it punched him in the face, godbotherer to the end. And Mary just enjoys her books a bit too much, always seems to have something to read.”

“Well even so, you must introduce me to them, even a ‘godbotherer’ as you put it is sure to be better than my dear husband.”

Hethir watched with only minor interest as the two went below. He hadn’t overheard most of their conversation, but if he knew Val at all, she would have the man wrapped around her finger before nightfall. I doubt she’ll have the same luck with the knight, but who knows, miracles happen.

Michael climbed up onto the deck and checked their heading, not saying a word. 

“I’ve forgotten what it’s like having others on-board, actually hearing voices around is a bit disconcerting.”

Michael nodded slightly, “I know what you mean captain, it makes me a bit nervous.”

“How are the visitors in the brig?”

“They were given water an hour ago, but no food. They seem to be sullen but otherwise no change.”

“I see, I think I’ll wait until morning for them, I don’t feel like spending the effort right now.”

“Aye sir, I will see that they are properly secured.”

“Thank you Michael, set up the night watches if you would, I’ll be in my cabin.”

Michael gave a quick salute and hurried off; Hethir simply jumped down to float towards his cabin door. He didn’t plan to sleep just yet, but he did have some preparations to make.

“Oh it has been so good to meet you dears!” Down below in the mercenary quarters, Val had been plying her best traits, and was firmly situated in their good graces.

“The pleasure is ours m’lady,” Trace gave a courtly bow, “please do not hesitate to ask if you need assistance, I would be honored to supply it.”

Val’s blush would have shamed many maidens. “Oh you are too kind sir… well I must be off, my husband does need my help you know.”

Garius let out a hearty laugh as Val left, enjoying their joke. The door had barely shut before Val’s charming smile vanished, replaced by something much colder. “You should have left a better impression on your hirelings, that always gets you into trouble. Oh well, my gain I suppose, though I think I’ll go enjoy some other fruits now…” She climbed up the stairs, careful not to step on her dress as she returned to the captain’s cabin.

A single lamp burned in the cabin, a shade over it cast the room in scarlet tones. The room was divided in half by a hung curtain, the other side of which normally held a simple hammock. That would not do for Hethir’s current purposes, and had been taken down, replaced by a rather luxurious pile of blankets and pillows. A very subtle scent wafted through the room, barely perceptible, but it’s effects were quite stark. Hethir had been breathing in the vapors for a few minutes now, and already his body was beginning to feel the heat. Oh yes… this will work well.

His clothes were folded into a small closet, leaving him only a pair of trousers. The door slid open to reveal Val in even more stunning beauty than usual. Her dress apparently had a few extra panels and ties, which had now been undone. Her ample breasts were barely contained by the fabric, and one leg was quite revealed by the slit that had appeared. Hethir could not suppress a smirk, “well then… it seems we could have made this easier on ourselves.”

Val mirrored his expression, but continued her seductive strut into the room. “Perhaps, but it is much more fun this way… isn’t it…”

Hethir’s expression grew more feral as he stood and stalked back towards her, “I would agree.” For just a moment they stood, both of them drinking in the other; enjoying the view.While it was a lovely view for each of them, it was less satisfying than other things on their minds.

Rather predictably, the moment did not last long, and the ordered pile of pillows and blankets became significantly less orderly as the night bore on.