Midsummer's Eve

It is almost noon as Elise finishes relating the tale of the previous evening's events. Faith has listened patiently throughout the story, offering neither judgment nor comment beyond the occasional question designed to elicit specific details. The interview has included a few interruptions by Zelak guards and Faith's secretary. The Khattan Inquisitrix has received a few written messages and relayed requests for information, at Elise's instigation.

"There… ," the poodle woman says, then pauses, gathering her thoughts from the last moment's ramblings before she continues once more, "a matter of guilt. It is my belief, now, that Lord haut Glas is behind the initial scheme and was betrayed … betrayed before he could conclude it. The event at the tower says as much, would that I saw things clearer then and realized it. He … he may provide answers we need, as would the contact of my prisoner. Regardless, I must leave soon. I must go to Gallis. I need the help of the Temple. A fast ship … " When she has finished speaking, she considers her words, and realizes how disjointed they are. On any better day it may have given her cause for shame – but now she is beyond caring. She has been without sleep for what seems like days now and cannot manage but the most nightmarish snippets of rest even when urged to do so.

The feline Inquisitrix regards her with even eyes as the poodle runs down. "I have dispatched men to look for the Eeee's contact," she informs the noble, "and to procure what information the Temple has on Gallisian slave traders, as you suggested. What do you intend to do with a fast ship, Lady de Bellefeuille?"

"I intend to rush to Gallis and pray night and day for the speed to save my sister before it is too late," answers the Gallee. Her hand clenches at her side, and she nods. "And may They help whomever would dare hold her captive."

"And you base your conclusion that Lady Katherine has been taken to Gallis on the … testimony of the Eeee you brought in this morning?" Faith asks. "Do you have any other evidence to back this conclusion?"

"I … " The woman across the table pauses, gaze dropping as she thinks upon the question. "I am hoping further information will provide itself once our leads are looked in to. The Eeee submitted to torture and spoke under the poker. I am not certain it is the truth, but at the moment it is my best lead. A ship should be prepared if it further proves useful … or if it is all that is available."

"I see." The Khatta unfolds one of the notes she received and looked at earlier, then re-folds it. "Unfortunately, the prisoner will be unable to substantiate your story any further. He was taken to the infirmary for … injuries sustained … and died there twenty-three minutes ago."

"Unfortunate," says the poodle, her tone devoid of sympathy. Her face quirks bitterly, almost a snarl. "Maybe now he will find his gods, and by Their grace I hope they are dead."

Faith places her hand over the slip of paper, and gazes at the noble. "Was anyone with you at the time that you apprehended this individual, Lady de Bellefeuille, apart from this rogue guard you have asked me to apprehend? Was anyone with you while you tortured him?"

"Several of my household guard were present during the torture, though he was taken inside originally by that traitor. A traitor in my own household … " Her face drops in to a deep frown, and she looks up again. "Tremaine, my tutor, was present and questioned him during my absence at … at … ah, I do not remember when exactly … before I came to force the information from the Eeee. But Tremaine left for the torture, obviously unsettled."

"Yes. Would you give me the names of the other members of your household present, Lady de Bellefeuille?" Faith holds her pencil poised over a fresh sheet of paper.

A nod. "Certainly." Elise begins to relate each guard as quickly as she recalls them, though more than once it takes her a moment to recall when her tired mind fails her.

The Khatta write the names down dutifully, and moves toward the door. "And these individuals would be at your estate now?"

"Unless they to have fled me as traitors, yes," answers the poodle. The thought makes her gaze harden, and she turns it from the Inquisitrix lest she seem to glare at her for it.

Faith only nods. "One moment." She removes the paper from her pad as she steps outside and exchanges several quiet sentences with her secretary, then returns. "Please explain to me again why you did not choose to notify the Temple at the time that you captured the Eeee?"

The question seems to take some of the edge from Elise's eyes. "I had received a ransom note stating any contact with the Temple during the transaction would result in the death of my sister. I feared any great Temple involvement might be extremely risky."

"The information simply was not present to dare chance it. Too many unknowns … too many to dare," adds the poodle quietly.

"I see. Where is this ransom note now?" the Inquisitor asks.

The poodle reaches thinks a moment, recalling that she still possesses the note for various reasons. She removes it from a pouch and offers it over. "Here."

After accepting the document and unfolding it, Faith's gray eyes peruse it, while she asks, "And this note was brought you by, you said – your secretary, Indigo?"

"Correct. I trust Indigo. She owes me her life, and gainful employment besides. She has no reason to betray me, and despite her Ashdod origin she has no love of the Seven. Indeed, I would believe she rather dislikes them by now," Elise answers.

The other woman nods. She glances to Elise, then back to the note, and reads aloud, "We hav youre Sister. Leave 20,000 shekels at the Cemmetery of the Olde City at Midnight on Midssumer's Eve. If the Temple comes, or other Trickery involved, it shall meen Youre Sisters Life." Her uninflected voice makes the poor phrasing of the note seem even starker. "This is the whole of the note you received yesterday afternoon? Prior to my visit?"

Nodding, Elise answers, "That is correct Inquisitrix."

"Lady de Bellefeuille, since your sister's disappearance three days ago, the Temple has, at your request, instituted a customs check upon all passengers and freight leaving the docks, in an effort to prevent Lady Katherine's captors from removing her from the island. We have teams of Zelaks and Jupani roving the streets, looking for her or any sign of her – again, at your request. I have personally been to your house on three separate occasions to consult you on the matter." Faith relays this in even tones. "Now, you are testifying that you believe Lady Katherine's captors were unaware of the Temple's current involvement, but that you felt if you told the Temple any further information, they would be aware of that. You are basing this, I understand, upon a line in this note which seems, by my understanding, to refer only to the meeting at which you would deliver the ransom. Is my understanding correct in this matter? Is there anything else you would like to add to it?"

"No, Inquisitrix, I fear it as you say … " The Gallee woman shakes her head. "I realize it may sound inconsistent, but I offer that this is no trivial matter for me. I did what I thought best, which I fear was not in the least bit 'best' at all. First Ones forgive me for my foolishness."

"I acted with what I considered acceptable levels of involvement. Surely any kidnapper would realize my present state when the message was passed to me, thus I risked no greater Temple involvement from that point. What was already done could not be undone without drawing out suspicion from both the Temple and the kidnappers," adds Elise after a moment.

The Inquisitrix sets the ransom note on top of the small stack of papers on the corner of her desk. "Indeed. Had you brought the Eeee to us at the time of his capture, our interrogation experts could have obtained the information you did in time for us to act upon it and prevent Lady Katherine from being removed from the island. As it is, my secretary has just informed me that, according to the bartender at The Lost Shekel, the Eeee's contact was there until shortly before dawn, then left in a hurry." She pauses, then adds, "At least that much corroborates with your story."

"I … I see," Elise stammers.

The black-and-grey striped feline stands beside her desk, steepling the fingertips of her hands together lightly before her, watching Elise. "Indeed. Now, regarding your request for a ship to Gallis – you intend to pursue your sister and her captors, I gather. Do you intend to go alone?"

"I will go alone if I must. This has been my failure … and I would gladly pay my life for it, if it would bring my sister home. But if it can at all be avoided I would greatly appreciate a modest accompaniment of guardsmen who can keep a low profile and would fit in well in Gallis, as well as perhaps the mage I hired earlier, and yourself," answers the poodle. She reaches over to take her sword, sheathed and free from its girdle, to help her rise and stand. "I am not unaccustomed to undercover work, of course."

"And your reason for wishing to go to Gallis … undercover … would be?" the Inquisitrix prompts, voice calm.

"The traders may expect pursuit, and if we are found to arrive in the city they may take great pains to hide themselves or flee. Also, I would rather avoid being recognized by anyone else on the matter of this 'Godslayer' business," explains the officer poodle.

A commotion outside the office contrasts sharply with the calm demeanor of the Inquisitrix as she questions the noblewoman. "Sir? Sir, the Inquisitrix – you can't – " the sound of the secretary's voice is accompanied by the thump of footsteps towards the office door. The secretary's protest is cut off with a muffled squeak as the door is flung open. A disheveled and wild-eyed Grant de Ayde stands in the doorway, panting with exertion. He shakes his head, and executes a Star-and-Anchor salute that only years of practice could make appear formal now. "Sorry – " he begins, voice choppy as he rushes to get the words out, "But it's Lady Katherine. I think she's been taken off Rephidim – to the Himaat."

"The Himaat?" repeats Elise in surprise. She nearly gapes at him, both for the intrusion and the information. And now the Himaat. Another false lead, one or the other …

Faith blinks a few times. "I see, Lord de Ayde. How did you come by this information?

De Ayde shakes his head as if to clear it. "Hired some bloodhounds – anyone with a good nose – to search the docks. Supplement the Temple. One of them found her scent leading on a ramp – disguised by alcohol, he said, but hers." He breathes in deeply, struggling to get the information out concisely and intelligibly. "Airship – The Siren's Tail – launched at dawn, for the Himaat. Talked to the customs people. They said they checked the passenger list – but also admitted there was one woman there, Gallah, they said, with another Gallah and several Eeee. Said they thought she looked drunk or drugged, they didn't want to get involved. Domestic dispute." Grant looks angry as he continues, and he wrestles to keep his tone level. "Katherine's build, height, conformation. Wrong color, fur and hair too short. But that can be disguised."

"And you are sure about this?" The poodle woman rises to her feet, leaning heavily against her sword and looking more tired by the minute. Being wrong yet again certainly does not help her state, and she considers this briefly before focusing on the more important issue. "Inquisitrix, does your information suggest this might be the case?"

The Inquisitrix's eyes flick to Elise for a moment, and she lifts her hand, index finger upraised in a "wait" gesture, then she returns her attention to the black poodle. "Thank you, Lord de Ayde. Please tell me, why did you think to look for her on the docks?"

The lady poodle's muzzle quirks in slight annoyance, being unaccustomed to being silenced so. Regardless she does not speak further and allows the Inquisitrix her questions uninterrupted.

Grant starts to answer Elise, "Hound – Marc – an old friend, said he was sure," then looks to the Inquisitrix, blinking. "Figured," he starts, then calms down somewhat, drawing his breath deliberately deep and even, "I figured that if Lady Katherine stayed on the island, we were bound to find her. It's a small area. And if the kidnappers meant to kill her, they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of kidnapping her in the first place. I checked the docks because the greatest danger, I believe, lay in her being taken beyond the reach of Rephidim and the Temple. Which, I believe, she has been," he grinds out, as if suddenly conscious that he is wasting precious seconds standing here talking.

Elise's grip on her sword shifts with uneasy energy as she listens to the man speak. She too is aware of the passage of time, and though her exhaustion has caused moments to blur into one long unfocused nightmare, she cannot help but be reminded of it in her thoughts. Every time she considers what to do time is brought into question. She continues to remain quiet on the matter, however, not wishing to waste further seconds.

A nod from the Inquisitor forestalls any further comment from de Ayde. "All right. Your information, Lord de Ayde, appears to match in most respects to what we have learned so far. The ship left at dawn – the same time frame the Eeee gave, and that would have given the contact enough time to reach the airship after leaving the Lost Shekel. Lord de Ayde, do you recall what description the guards gave of this Gallah? The male Gallah, that is, not the woman."

Lord de Ayde answers, "He was a Doberman mongrel, medium build, short, black fur, white chin."

The Inquisitrix nods. "If the contact colored his fur before catching the airship, that could match him. Unlike the rest of the Body of the Kindly Ones, the contact was a Gallah. I realize that the Eeee told you they were taking her to Gallis, Lady de Bellefeuille. He was not, necessarily, either lying or misinformed. If they intend to sell Lady Katherine into slavery, that is the country where they would likely receive the highest price."

Grant clenches his hands into fists as the Khatta continues, patiently, "They may simply have opted to take her there by an indirect route, in the hopes of confusing any potential pursuit."

"That is another reason I suspected the truth, Inquisitrix. But what is this … 'Body of the Kindly Ones'?" The poodle interrupts herself a second later, adding, "No, wait, answer later when we are off."

The Khatta blinks. "It is the group with whom your Eeee prisoner was affiliated. And I understand your desire to leave immediately, but arrangements will take time. In truth, requisitioning a Temple vessel will probably be easier if you pursue the channels than I do, Lady de Bellefeuille. More to the point: where do you wish to go?"

"I … I cannot see what they would gain from selling… ," Elise stammers as her grip tightens involuntarily, "my sister in the Himaat. Jupani and Khattas. Even the countries in proximity lack in any real Gallee or Gallah populations that I am aware of. Gallis on the other hand is the center of the Gallee and Gallah world, where blood and breeding is everything. My sister could … could provide for a chance at Gallee status in future generations. I would think Gallis is their end goal. Either after a trade in the Himaat, or as the final stop in an attempt to evade us. Do you both agree with my assessment?"

The feline nods. "Exactly. On the Himaat slave market, your sister will not fetch close to even the twenty thousand shekel ransom they asked from you."

The black poodle holds his fists against his sides. "Yes," he agrees, "but The Siren's Tail only launched six hours ago, and it's a passenger merchant ship. A Temple scout under full sail could yet overtake her."

"Locating a single ship in the sky between Rephidim and the Himaat … provided we have a city in the Himaat as a destination, would be rather difficult. Given the current drift of Rephidim, and any attempt to fly an evasion course between here and their stopping point, we could be searching the skies for days and locate nothing. Even magic may be ineffective," says Elise. She taps her fingers along her sword grip, shifting her weight from the war sword to her good leg. "If we can track them it would be a fine plan, but I am uncertain we can do that. At least Gallis is a static location. What do you think?"

Grant grits his teeth, looking angry, tired, and miserable all at once. Faith glances between the two nobles, then says, "I do not know how substantial your resources are, Lady de Bellefeuille. The Temple will fight with me to release even tickets to Gallis, much less an airship. However, you may be able to charter a private vessel." The feline steeples her fingers again, then adds. "Another possibility presents itself. Lord haut Glas has expressed considerable interest in this case since inception, and in recovering your sister. Lord haut Glas is also possessed of a private yacht. It is not a military vessel, but it is of recent design and swifter than a merchanter, if memory serves me." She taps her fingertips together. "It may be possible to pursue both avenues, and if it is – that would be my advice."

"Abu Dhabi," Grant adds abruptly. "That's the city it's flying to. The Port Authority ought to have a flight path registered for it."

"Lord haut Glas may be responsible for this travesty, but … if so, I doubt he would wish to further botch it by letting his once-hirelings escape. His intention would have obviously been to win the affections of both myself and my sister, and this will be like a second chance to him. I would be pleased to make use of him and investigate his possible crime later, when matters are resolved." The lady officer glances between the Inquisitrix and other officer, as if considering, and then continues, "I will attempt to gain the support of the Temple and procure a vessel of speedy design, and depending on departure times and what is available I will instruct the quickest vessel to follow The Siren's Tail while the slower proceeds to Gallis.

"In that manner we can cover both avenues. The vessel of Lord haut Glas may not be a warship, but neither would their vessel be. I will board the pursuing vessel. Inquisitrix, would you notify Lord haut Glas?"

Grant frowns in confusion at Elise's characterization of haut Glas, and he seems about to ask further, but shrugs it off. "My family may be bankrupt, but I am not without friends at the Temple," Lord de Ayde says, his eyes determined. "I am sure we can procure a ship under the circumstances. Lady de Bellefeuille, may I request permission to accompany you in the pursuit?"

"You may, and you have it," answers the lady. She smiles, faintly yet approvingly, and nods. "I was hoping you would join me. I would like to place Inquisitrix Faith in command of the guard directed to search Gallis. An Inquisitrix would be more useful in that than a foolish solider looking for her sister. Lord haut Glas can command the actual ship and assist, and I am sure he has contacts in Gallis as well as the proper blood. I am sorry Inquisitrix, but you may need his blood to assist you in your questions there."

Something like a smile flickers across Faith's mouth, but her voice is as flat as ever as she says, "That would be my choice, as well. Chasing airships across the skies is not my specialty. I will go to Gallis and learn what I can on the market there. I will notify Lord haut Glas of your request, Lady de Bellefeuille." She moves to the door, where she shakes her head to her embarrassed and apologetic secretary, conveying their instructions.

Lord haut Glas volunteers his ship almost before it is even requested – just as soon as he hears the story on what they believe has happened to Katherine. As it turns out, while the Temple officers are able to persuade the Office of the Navy to release a vessel for their purposes, the ship will take so long to be ready that Elise opts to use haut Glas's vessel to pursue The Siren's Tail. Three hours after noon, the yacht, Sweet Destiny launches from Rephidim port, following the flight path filed by Siren – duly modified to account for Rephidim's drift since then.

Lord haut Glas, Lady de Bellefeuille, and Lord de Ayde are all on board Sweet Destiny at launch, though haut Glas plainly resents de Ayde's presence. De Ayde's own attitude towards haut Glas is even worse once Elise explains her theory on the kidnapping to him. Still, he keeps a handle on his temper and makes no mention of the subject to the other noble. For his part, the male white poodle seems oblivious to any suspicion that he might be involved in the kidnapping.

Though not a large ship, the yacht is a pleasure vessel and accordingly, lavishly furnished, including spacious quarters for six guests, plus a small crew, and an aerie suitable for holding four rakhtors. With some hasty modifications made after launch, the aerie manages to accommodate three rakhtors and Secrets. Elise fills out the remaining passenger space on board the vessel with the most trusted guards from her own household. Haut Glas, though not pleased at seeing his own men refused berth, yields the point soon enough when Elise explains the logic behind her recent general paranoia.

Elise finds herself hobbling the rail of the vessel along the fore of the shift, scanning the skies for signs of any vessel that might travel them. Her days aboard the make-shift pursuit vessel have been spent much like this, all though she has managed to get at least some sleep in the last several days. Secrets has been Elise's company when her mood grows scared or dark, and when not watching the horizon she can be found with him, or else speaking with the others aboard ship.

Grant de Ayde is no better off, spending his time scanning the air below the ship with a spyglass, and in occasional aerial forays in the sky surrounding the vessel, looking above as well as below, lest they over-fly their target at a varying height. After several largely rebuffed efforts on the part of Lord haut Glas to console Elise, the white male has kept to himself, spending his time discussing subjects with his crew.

A scryer, employed by Elise originally back on Rephidim in the hopes of locating Katherine by magic, sits in a lotus within a ritual circle in the lee of the deck house, chanting. The mage hypothesized that the kidnappers employed some form of shadow magic to screen her from his view, back on Rephidim, so he is taking another approach now – merely magically scanning the surrounding skies for large and mobile objects going in approximately the right direction.

Meanwhile Elise tries to calm herself for the inevitable, be it success or failure. She tries to work out what might occur in her mind – and what to do, should all come to naught. 'Body of the Kindly Ones'. I seem to be fated to be bound against Babel and so many of its spawn, be they mortal, immortal, or intrigue. A name … a name to hold on to. I will remember that name. Body of the Kindly Ones. She sighs, finding thoughts of revenge tired and dead. I want my sister. Let them have revenge. I would rather have my family.

As the lady continues to scan the horizon, she lets the wind off the fore blow her hair, throwing it back in a cascade of minimally maintained curls. The cool breeze of the airship is in its own way soothing, as is the slow passing of the world below.

As the lady poodle limps, lost in her own thoughts, the scryer gives a soft cry. He leaps from his position in the circle, running up to the edge of the rail. "I felt something!" he tells her excitedly, peering over the rail at the vast sea rolling below them.

At this moment, haut Glas is with the ship's captain, engaged in some discussion or other about the crew, and Grant is taking another fly-over to scan the air above the envelope.

The sudden cry startles Elise from her contemplative silence, causing her to instinctively reach for her sword. Were she in better spirits her tenseness might have caused her to chuckle, but at the moment she is in no mood for laughter. "If you locate them I will be forever enamored of the Collegia," Elise comments absently as she turns to follow the scryer's gaze.

"Dagh take it, I can't see it!" the scryer curses, "It's about the right size and going the right way, but way below us, maybe too low to be an airship." He turns and runs for the other side of the ship.

"Grant!" yells Elise off the edge of the rail, leaning over as she peers down below the ship. "See if you can locate a vessel somewhere below us! Far below!"

The wind of the swift-moving airship snatches the words from her mouth, and a sailor on the deck calls back to her, "Doubt he can hear you, ma'am! He'll be too high up! Want us to drop altitude?"

"Yes, and ready my mount," answers Elise as she leans back again and pushes off the railing. The woman hobbles on past the deck-hand, though she is slow enough where he could easily hurry past her to see to her commands. "Notify the captain of a possible vessel as well, haut Glas too."

"No – no," the scryer shouts back, at almost the same time as Elise's call. "It's nothing. A waashu. I'm sorry, my lady," he says in a quieter tone, coming back to her side. "I'll go back to looking. I'm afraid to fine-tune my spell much more … afraid I might screen it out from my alarm, somehow. I'm sorry." The Lapi looks genuinely abashed, ears drooping to either side of his head.

The lady raises a hand to halt the deck-hand as the scryer speaks, then inclines her head. "I am sure you are doing your best, mage. Return to your duties and report any further disturbance." Her eyes turn to the hand again. "Cancel my orders. As the mage said, false alarm." She then walks back to the rail and resumes watching, trying to spot the waashu as well.

They were, in fact, flying well above the creature – almost directly above it when the scryer detected it – but rather faster than it is. The rainbow-colored envelope of the waashu glistens translucently from the poodle's vantage point, and she can almost make out its tendrils, dragging through the water below.

The woman watches the waashu drift through the sky, thinking how calm it must be. Near mindless, without control, but calm. She finds fit to envy that for a moment – to be able to float through the sky without aching worry or important decision to trouble one's mind. After watching the gas-filled aerial giant a bit longer she resumes scanning the air – both above and below, now.

Even in the short time that Elise watches, the waashu dwindles from view – apparently, slowing down from the pace it maintained when the scryer detected it. It's far and away the most interesting thing in the air that the poodle's eyes can detect. A few clouds dot the distant horizon, but otherwise the air seems as vast and empty as the hole in her heart.

Elise moves to lean upon the rail now that the waashu has passed beyond range, and thus lost its ability to distract her away from her thoughts. She warned me about the Eeee. Warned me, but I did not listen. Is this my curse? Would it be me kidnapped? My sister has done nothing to but try and live well … The woman glances at her sword and frowns, scanning briefly the intricate work of its guard and handle. I killed them, and I loved him, and yet she suffers. My sword … strength enough to live alone, for all that is worth. You are a poor comfort. And again, her gaze returns to the sky.

The day wears on towards night, the setting sun painting the sky with deep red and purple streaks. The scryer's spell – set as an alarm, to wake him if it detects anything – glows in a nimbus around him as he naps, still in his circle. A sailor approaches Elise as she stands by the railing, carrying a tray of food. "Dinner, ma'am?"

"Thank you." The Gallee noblewoman turns to take her eyes away from the sky, laying her sword against the rail before she accepts her dinner. "I trust all is well aboard ship?"

"Just fine, ma'am," the sailor says. He's a good-natured, friendly-looking Gallah with the face of a Scottish terrier, but brown-furred and pointy-eared. He gazes towards the horizon. "Sunsets are pretty here, over the ocean. Makes it look like the sky is all around you. Maybe this is what it was like for our ancestors, sailing to Sinai through space, comin' for the first time."

The woman smiles before she realizes it, and for the moment hasn't the care to chase it from her visage. "Certainly they are," says the Gallee. She glances off the starboard side of the ship, watching the orange and red skyline slowly dim as the sun sets. "Rather reminds me of my time aboard ship. I can only imagine the wonder our ancestors felt, and I cannot help but think whatever passes for sunset in the expanse beyond the stars must be grand indeed."

The Gallah's tail wags at her smile. "Sure must be!" he agrees enthusiastically, before gazing at the horizon again, silent for a moment. "Captain says we're chasin' The Siren's Tail."

"The captain is correct," says the lady. She peers down at her meal, something which would have far exceeded the mediocre offerings aboard a military vessel for one of her rank. Chasing someone on a private pleasure vessel has its advantages, but the lady finds herself longing for a fast scout ship with military rations none the less.

"I saw the charts, ma'am. Ought to be catchin' her in a day or two, if we don't miss her entirely," the sailor remarks, perhaps reading into the look on her face. The mongrel seems reflective, even sorrowful as he regards the sky. "I've got friends on her," he says, quietly.

"Is that so … " she says more than asks. She lays half the tray on the rail to balance it, and with a hand free lifts a skewer of steak and takes a bite, chewing and swallowing before she asks, "Do you worry for them?"

The Gallah nods. "Sure do," he answers, seriously. "I used to serve under her captain, when he was first mate on the Peacock. Captain Longway, now. He's a good man. A decent man, anyway." The mutt shakes his head, his tail not wagging anymore. "We air folk ain't the best people on Sinai, I'll admit. But Longway's no murderer, nor kidnapper neither. Can't believe he'd get him and his crew mixed up in this mess, if he knew. If he had any idea."

"It is entirely possible that he has no idea, and that the kidnappers are dealing with his crew or simply putting away as ordinary passengers. Regardless, if you fear I intend to destroy the vessel or assault the crew, let me ease you now by telling you my focus is on the kidnappers and them alone. Should the crew of the vessel prove to be their unwilling assistants, they will not be charged. Should they defend the kidnappers, they can expect to meet our steel," the woman explains. She takes another bite from her kabob and casts a glance across the skyline to be sure she hasn't missed anything while speaking.

The mongrel shoots her a grateful look, and his tail starts to wag, but his expression wilts a bit as she finishes the statement. "Yes'm," he mumbles, ducking his head. "'s fair 'nuf, I suppose." He folds his arms on the rail and rests his muzzle against them. "Hope she doesn't take us for pirate, over-flyin' them like this."

The woman's smile fades finally, having dwindled as she spoke of the pursued vessel's crew. "Indeed. May They grant them insight, and the wisdom to know it," Elise comments. Her ear flicks as the wind picks up again and she turns sideways to avoid the brunt of it. "I am certain it will all resolve well." She says the words for him, not exactly certain as to why – It's a lie that brings her no comfort.