I was awake before dawn as is usual for me. The life of a pirate is one of early rising to catch the morning's first light. Normally I would have swaggered out into the day and taken my morning constitutional, however a quick check revealed a small wrinkly cleaning lady dusting the hallway. I couldn't bring myself to exit the safe haven that was my room. Half-tempted to leap out the window and rappel down the walls, I decided against it and waited. Finally she moved on and I was free to exit without encountering her.
Down in the main room I caught up with the others. Across the room Shaia the Arimite (lesbian) sat sniffing at a large bowl of Mochan. This only reinforced the knowledge that she played for the other side. In fact she looked more like a rabid animal sniffing at its next meal than a woman. Obviously the dark lighting that these wrinkled people prefer does much to hide the ugliness of the world. Gladness swept over me that I did not err last evening and bring my full seductive abilities to bear. I would have had to chew my arm off at the shoulder to extricate myself from that embarrassing situation.
As I've mentioned, these wrinkly people are horrid looking creatures. But when you think you have encountered the worse, they surprise you at how disgusting that become. The woman that served is at morning table was old by their standards, her skin crackling like old parchment as she moved. My appetite left me and I ordered a small keg of mead to try and blind myself from the visions I was having. It did little more than dull the senses. Oh how I dream of a flagon of good rum and a ship beneath my feet.
Discussion at the table turned to our intended journey. There were many posed travel plans, however the Muse made a valid statement regarding safe passage through settled lands. Of course the fact that there was a large festival being planned in the City of Kasmir sealed the deal for me. Ha Bibi was disappointed - it would seem he wanted to travel through the swamplands far to the south. Well perhaps he will realise that the festival will be our final civilised pleasure before heading into the lands of the Mud People. With that in agreement, I left the inn to enjoy a quiet morning smoke of my pipe ... and to aid my Equus in gaining the love of his desires.
After my Equus had finished his amorous tasks, I smoked an extra pipe for him. The others came out chattering and began mounting up. It was funny to see the Phantasian having trouble keeping his mount away from mine. She was obviously quite satisfied with the events that had transpired. I do believe I have found my doppleganger in the Equus world.
The dusty road beckoned us onwards ...
Our journey was long, but uneventful. Once we arrived at the city, however, to my horror, we were surrounded by thousands of wrinkly people. I couldn't hide my loathing so I hunkered down in my cloak and tried to inebriate myself into sleep. It didn't work. Those damn wrinklies had sold me watered down mead! I was prepared to cut a swathe through them with my Cutlass, had it not been for the lovely Shelandra laying a hand on my shoulder to calm me. She knew my abilities well it would seem and couldn't bear to think of the hundreds of deaths I would cause before the Thrall guards brought me down.
We had to get to the head of the line. As I was about to ask fate to intervene, the pompouse Phantasian decided to invoke his "Power of Arrogance". Cloaking himself in illusionary light he road ahead demanding passage for Lord Pompous Ass of the Phat Asians - or something like that. I don't understand why he would say things about himself like that, but it seemed to work. People were so horrified at his disgusting attitude that they parted ways. Of course this didn't last long, as those with some modicom of culture stood in our path. These blue birdmen challenged his authority clicking and clucking their way around the issue of who was here first. It was obvious they were bristling for a fight.
The young and impetuous Ha Bibi decided to show his star launcher. At that, the birdmen displayed their tri-knives. Deadly looking weapons which I wouldn't mind learning to employ. Perhaps I could bargain with them at a later, quieter time to teach me how to use the weapon. Not likely, however, since the Phantasian decided to push his authority. The birdmen tensed for a battle. I decided to intervene at this point. It wasn't because of any loyalty to this motley group, but more of impatience. I wanted a good hotel room, and a festival with beautiful women. Throwing back my cloak I show them that I was battled hardened and obviously confident with my weapons. The Muse, fearing for the destruction of anything that got in my path began to sing. I know not exactly what she sang of, however as I look back on it, she must have told them of my past exploits. They became slightly terrified, and their leader bowed before me, not grovelling, but honoring my skill and conceding the point of passage. With that we headed to the gate guards to report our presence.
Giving up our names, I used the standard "Mr Smith". I detest being tracked through the cities and so use pseudonyms a lot. People automatically assume I have nefarious plans, but in truth I simply do not want resourceful past conquests tracking me down. I do so hate clingy women. Of course if the Muse wished to cling I wouldn't object. Hmmm ... I began to hatch a plan to make her jealours.
The place was a magnification of the last city. More chaotic, more wrinklies, more pain in my eyes. I once again resumed my hunkered down position and hope for a quick arrival at an inn. After much deliberation we obtained a guide. He was obviously leading us in circles, and when the Phantasian challenged him on it, he attempt to talk his way out of it. Taking note of this child's greed, I decided to use it to my advantage.
Finally arriving at the inn, I began the game of money with the boy. With much coercion and a little support from Ha Bibi (indeed he must be a gypsy cousin for he knew the scam without explanation of my intent), we obtained the boy's service to tell us of the special phrases and signals to guarantee a fair rate in the city as opposed to the extortion rates normally charged. I paid for the rooms and the food, Shelandra was impressed and relieved that I was not tight with the money when it came to her. She would soon realise how much I meant to her, even though she did not currently understand the power of my charms. We settled into our large suites and enjoyed an excellent repast.
I arranged for the boy to collect me at my rooms at the lowering of the smaller sun...