• Closed • Ahoy!

[Elijah Ki'Ouj]

60th Ashan, Arc 717

Elijah had already loaded all the cargo onto his sloop and was well on his way to meeting with his new business partner at the cove just a mile North of his current location. He was running about 15 bits late because the captain of the vessel from which his cargo had been collected was a sticky old chap. He was paranoid and afraid that Elijah was some sort of spy or double agent, he put him through all kinds of stupid tests to make sure he was who he said. He made him show his tattoo, then he made him name his father's first name and finally he even made him say his place of birth. The whole time Elijah had been held in the captains quarters, the man had been taking his time to ask these questions. It only became apparent to Elijah why when the man finally gave up his questioning due to there being no doubt he could be anyone else.

Apparently, according to the captain, they had almost been caught loading the cargo onto the ship in Etzos as someone had informed the authorities. The only reason they had not been caught was because the informant gave the wrong ship name. He had told them the name of the ship docked next to the one Elijah had just been on and this had clearly shaken up the captain. Then again he was pretty old looking and old chaps tended to get anxious about things like that. Elijah, leaned back and steered his sloop down the coast, following its contours and keeping at a safe distance from the rocky cliffs. The weather was perfect, that was for sure. A bit of cloud and a fair wind but no rain and comfortable waves.

It had meant he could sit back and relax, only needing to make sure that he did not steer the sloop into any rocks. This for an experienced sailor like himself was relatively easy, especially when you had sailed the route as much as he had over the many arcs of his life. He was quickly approaching the cove where his new colleague was going to be waiting. Her name was Maeve, he had not known much about her but she had been recommended by one of the trusty lads in his favourite less than savoury bar.

Elijah peered down below deck through he open hatch at the four barrels, of what he did not know, and knew better than to ask. They were all snugly in position and ready to be unloaded upon arrival at the cove. Due to his sloops rather shallow hull he could bring the boat in shallow enough to stand in the water with it coming just over the waist. This meant the barrels could be relatively easily unloaded by two people. Even possible by one with a struggle and it was how he tended to unload his goods until now.

The sun was getting ready to pass fully below the horizon when he steered the sloop into the cove. The breaking waves making the last part of the journey rather bumpy, however the cove did not have big waves and nor did it have bad weather making it even worse. He pulled up just at the beginning of the breakers, steering the boat to face out towards the sea. This way the ship was not rocked too badly as the waves parted either side of it. He could see the woman who he was working with standing on the beach about 100 metres away as he let down the sails and tied them into place in order to stop them blowing away or moving the boat as he lowered his small anchor down to keep the sloop in place.

He turned and faced her, unable to really see her from the distance and in the dying light. Yet, he could already feel the voice in his head that urged him to pursue her. He ignored it for now, trying to keep his mind on business as he waved to her from the stern of his ship. "Ahoy!" He called to her and indicated for her to come on over to the boat, meaning she would have to wade through the water. Hopefully she did not mind.

[Maeve]

Maeve disliked waiting but that was often the nature of her job. She'd gotten the information for the drop-off from a man who looked like he had four chins; Hogston, they'd called him, named for the large swine tattooed on his arse. Or so he claimed. The naerikk, in truth, hadn't been listening. She nodded along as he rambled on, and when he left, she took her horse and headed toward the cove.

The sun fell beyond the horizon as the naerikk dismounted and headed further into the cove. She was ultimately only in it for the money. The cargo and its proprietor meant nothing. Hardly did the smuggler find herself trusting anyone she was meant to work with, and whoever came was no different.

As she stood on the shrouded shore, she peered at the waves beyond and waited for the sailboat to still on the constantly lapping waves and noted the shape of a man on board. His call was met with a frown. Bastard doesn't even get close enough.

With a heavy sigh, she waded out into the water, unconcerned over her loose-fitting garments in the moment. She was tall enough for the water to meet her waist and no higher, which was a blessing in itself. "You couldn't have parked that thing a little closer?" She asked with a sharp look. "You the Biqaj? How much do you have?" She glanced over her shoulder; an almost instinctive precaution.

[Elijah Ki'Ouj]

She waded out to the boat and he smiled, feeling he was in luck. As she made her way over to him he pulled up the first barrel. He grabbed its rim and crouched lifting from his legs to raise it out of the hold. It wasn't too heavy, it seemed they weren't filled with any kind of Liquid which made everything easier at least. After hauling the first barrel up and sliding it over to the side he watched her approach, lighting up his lantern and hanging it from the mast as the sun threatened to stop providing them with light. He turned to find her stood there and he leaded over the edge to greet her.

"Well, if I didn't want to use my sloop come morning then yes." He chuckled and offered her a hand from his position to shake in greeting. "The names Elijah. I am the Biqaj, yes. You got a name miss?" He already knew the one he had been told although he had no idea if it was true or the name she chose to go by.

He took a moment to examine her, a sight for sore eyes to say the least. The tattoos across her forehead were most peculiar, a series of shapes that complimented her brow. Her hair was wild too, like the mane of a lion. He could not deny the fact he immediately wanted her, yet, for now it was business and not time for his own personal interests.

She had straight off asked about the cargo and it appeared that was the order of business for the moment. "Four barrels, water tight and sealed so we don't have to worry about the sea too much." Elijah offered her a hand again, this time to help her up onto the ship and out of the cold waves. "Here, help me with the other three barrels and get out of the cold. There is no point freezing while you wait, that would be an awful shame." He raised his eyebrows and shook his hand if there was any hesitation from the smuggler.

Once she was aboard he moved back down below deck and raised up the first barrel for her to take from him. "Put it with the other one and I will get the next." He knelt using his shoulders to brace the barrel while he waited to feel it move away from him. His muscles beginning to ache as kept holding the barrel and waiting to move on to the last two so they could continue with the job.