Truly They Were Getting Old 12/19

 {LONG DISTANCE FROM: Celicia}: Celicia's Letter To Maertock Reave, 1816, It's been a while, right? A few years or something. Amori wanted me to let you know a couple things since I'm his secretary and all. Here's how it is:

You can have your prisoner back for 10,000 coins. Exciting, I know.

A meeting is being proposed to be held at Osrona's gates. Amori's still around, so if you can figure out a time that works for you? I'll tell him now- assuming you're interested in the meeting anyways. It seems like the purpose is ironing out remaining hostilities.

Write back soon.
- Celicia

 {LONG DISTANCE TO: Celicia}: Dear Celicia,

It is good to hear you are well, our last chat was a pleasant one. I was wondering what Jack had gotten up to, I presumed the boy was just on vacation truth be told. I will assemble the coin when If is about, for as a true Captain I am cash poor.

Tell Amori this. I'm ready to bury the hatchet, our bad blood can be old news if he wants. Achyon fucked with me for the last time, and I fully intend to sink them for their arrogance like the old days.

The Deep Company doesn't want to keep robbing Osrona. There was a time where we two were friendly, and it worked for the both of us more than I care to admit.

I will not lie and say Amori and I are any alike. Light and shadow, night and day. But there is neither without the other, and Achyon is artificial.

Fondly,
Captain Maertock Reave

{LONG DISTANCE FROM: Celicia}: Archmagi's Letter to Deep Company, 1816, Dear Maertock,When you have the money assembled, you can come to Osrona's gates and we'll exchange the coin for Jack.As for your note on burying the hatchet, I agree. Assuming you cease hostilities against my city and it's denizens, including robbery, we will stop attacking you. Do not expect our direct help against Achyon, though, more a mutual staying out of eachother's ways. Perhaps our relationship can grow amicable assuming this does not change by the time the Academy is finished.I will also have the Astor informed.Amori
 {LONG DISTANCE TO: Celicia}: Dear Celicia,

To make you feel important, I'm going to use you as Amori's secretary by sending you the letter directly. This is not an insult to the good archmage, but I find it comical. Plus you need the experience with letters young lady.

We are not asking for help with Achyon,; we can handle those cogs easily enough ourselves. Enki sunk four of their members who attacked him in a row within the mines, and today Bruno Aertas' pockets are a bit lighter thanks to him.

Frankly, we were younger once. We've had our daring, legendary struggles. But we are old and getting older by the day, and I need to look out for what's best for my crew. Far as I'm concerned, don't fix what ain't broken, and the golden age of my people was ruining Achyon's day.

I never desired to work with Lannis Grimmore. That was Murtock's blood debt, and a man does not betray his brother. But they are both dead, and here I am finding attacking Osrona is as unprofitable as ever.

We'll have the coin at the south gate soon, I will send a letter soon when we are arriving.

Sincerely,
Captain Reave


Maertock would appear like a shadow on the wall in the wake of Amori and Celicia's arrival, the Captain of the Deep Company adorned as ever in his black velvets and ashen arcanium plate. The blade of Saltspite sat with its sheathe by its side, and the reaver lord of the south coast's pirate hat almost appeared to have eyes of its own in the wake of the shark's cloak of flowing, sentient darkness.

"This is real nostalgic. Now I just need to take off my shirt, and it will be juuuuust like the old days. 'Cept Caddock and Murtock are gone, s'pose that just leaves me. Now that I reckon it, the whole crew that failed to raid Osrona long ago is dead now. Funny, maybe that whole plan was cursed from the start."

The shark would tap his chin at that. A fascinating dread omen, the five that had lost had died of their own accord, the sixth that one left Esshar forever.

"But times change. If your knights can stop attacking my men like Andreas and If here, then we can bury the hatchet right here and now with this bag of coin."

The coin was tossed to the ground in the center of the stone, now more than just monetary wealth. IT was a symbol.

"Now, you could take that and turn on us at the detriment of your people's health and mine. Or this can be the beginning of a new start right before the academy rises; with the further assurance that Achyon will have no ability to impede its progress."
(Maertock Reave)
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 {Item} Dropped a bag of 11303 Coins.
 Maertock Reave says, "Consider the additional thousand a return of former tribute. These are different times, after all."
 It was somewhat chilling the way they'd meet again. Similar to olden days, except a lot darker and not on the shores of the Deep Company's star vessel. The Archmagi remains casual as ever, watching shadows contort to Maertock and his cohorts form.

Amori nods, speaking soon after.
"I'm willing to bury the hatchet. Your letter was interesting also. Hearing of how this Enki has taken down a few big names of Achyon."

The man hums to himself a second. Then he gestures Jack forward, tossing the remote. Amori leans over, clutching the bag of coins in unison.
"I've given the order for my knights to stop. Assuming nothing happens in the coming years, there is also the possibility, as you said of this being a new start.

Perhaps I'll allow you free travel through Osrona like the Fireblooded."

The coin is weighed in a pale hand, then he nods once checking it over. It's passed off to his nearby treasurer.
(Amori)
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Aelrin accompanied Amori and Celicia as they went to exchange coin and prisoner. It seemed relations between the Deep Company and Achyon had soured, and the Deep Company sought to get on better terms with Osrona in response, followed by a few battles with victories and losses on either end.

Aelrin simply remained quiet, noting If and Andreas present upon Maertock, a nod at the exchange and remarks made. Perhaps some good could result in this, focus on Achyon could be more direct as a result.

"Glad to see an exchange can be done nicely, like old times." Aelrin finally said, grinning.
(Aelrin Alcast)
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 Maertock would cross his massive arms behind his back as his serrated smile spread; the Captain of the Deep Company in perfectly high spirits all things considered. Dredging his clawed digits into the depths of the inky darkness that manifested his being, he'd withdraw a bottle of rum he'd proceed to immediately drink for lack of a bag of coin in his hand.

"Enki is a prodigy. Incredibly talented when it comes to the business of sinking those arrogant enough to make demands of me."

Bruno had been one such in the past, and Enki made quick work of them. He was not the only member of the crew strong enough to ruin Achyon's day.

"If both of our men can manage to not stab each other, this might very well be a lucrative era for the both of us. Morally and fiscally. My reavers are fearless, and Achyon is their sole focus as of this point forward. Well, Achyon and the remnants of the Coven. They made a move on me before, I certainly intend to snuff them out as a courtesy."

The shadow shark would cackle at that. It was almost genial if it wasn't for all those teeth.

"I don't think Achyon realized how bad they fucked up."
(Maertock Reave)
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Celicia silently stares at the octopus. There wasn't much for her to contribute here, though...

She was interested in listening in nonetheless. It was a better conclusion than she'd hoped for.
(Celicia)
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 If sensed that someone thought of Miri as an octopus. They offered a small fish to the floating creature. The squid pulsed an odd shade of red as it took the food and started to consume it.
(If Reave)
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With the creature consuming a fish, Celicia nods.

Oblivious.

"Cool octopus."
(Celicia)
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 Amori nods. Taking his hand to his chin and running it along his clean-shaven jaw.
"Well, we won't be getting in your way. Achyon made the point of trying to backside us as well, rather than be reasonable. They still have yet to give an answer on joining the Academy.

The countries likely going back to hating them like all those years ago."

With a short pause, the Archmagi follows up.
"My men will not assault yours either. As long as you follow this ceasefire, we'll see about allowing you travel through Osrona. Give me a year or so to pass the message on and finalize it.

As reasonable as your being now, there have been times in the past when you've changed your mind. I want to make sure it's more set in stone this time."
(Amori)
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[21:23] Maertock would hum a soft, siren song not unlike one might hear in the depths of a swamp; the sort of tune that offered the world, though always keeping a hand behind one's back just in case. Taking another drag from his cigar, minty smoke would rise from his dry, reddened gills as he glanced over the pair with a nod.

"I'd believe it. They are what you'd call uniquely awful at dealing with people. Matryona thought she had the authority to try and order me around, Bruno sought to imprison me once for hitting on his sister, and Anastasia has a forehead like her attitude. Thick and ugly."

The shark would take another drag from his cigar before continuing to speak.

"I have changed my mind many'a times, you are not wrong. When we first arrived here in Esshar, everything and everyone was new. Playing all the fields was a given truth be told."

Maertock would nod lightly at that.

"But you want a guarantee. A contract, wise as anything when dealing with my sort. I'm willin' to oblige; simply enough I don't see how engaging in open war with Osrona will ever be profitable. I don't want your city, and you don't want my beach. It smells of rum and rotten fish."
(Maertock Reave)
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 While the Archmagi taps against his jaw, the soft, siren like song is soothing. It almost takes some of the tension out of the air that naturally sat whenever two big leaders met up in situations like this. He nods along to Maertock's story.
"You're right. The only thing I'd use your beach for is a pathway to the dark woods.

I'm unsure if a contract would work or even be honored however action will go a long way. I'll see what Alistair can work up. Perhaps we can open up some form of trade.

Back in the day, the bar on the beach was popular. It wasn't too bad either. Perhaps something along those lines."

Removing his hand from his face, he offers a small smile.
"That's all from me, for now. We'll keep in contact as I ruminate on mutually beneficial options.

After all, times have changed since you've first arrived. Even your crew is different, as is mine."

He glances to Celicia and Aelrin to his side.
(Amori)
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Maertock would whistle softly as he turned his icy blue eyes up towards the distant sky, considering for a moment if perhaps the stars had not mislead him yet. A sailor needed the ocean and the sky alike to travel far and wide. Constellations were followed even in the darkest nights.

"A contract is as good a start as any. The Deep Company doesn't oft go back on its word, and that's a reputation I without a doubt intend to maintain. Better for business if you're known for following through with your intentions."

The pirate would nod. It wouldn't make sense for the reaver to have an empathetic reasoning; it more than likely checked out with his honesty that it was all business to him. Profits had to be maintained.

"There was a time where the tavern was a place to share stories amongst our people, make merry and wander free. That time may yet return; the south coast was impregnable by cogs when we stood together."

The reaver lord would take another drag from his cigar at that.

"This is as good a start as any, we didn't shoot each other at least, that's already one up on Murtock's first moves. Further letters will be exchanged from here, but all things considered? This is a fresh start, old boy."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Amori for once chuckles. A dry laugh leaves his chest.
"I remember Murtock was fond of shooting from the hip."

When the mirth ceases, he nods.
"A fresh start then," he glances over to the forest-woods. A hum builds in his larynx.
Perhaps recalling the times he visited the tavern. Though, on this cold night, anyone would think of a drink fondly no matter the place. Inhaling the cold air, he speaks.

"I'll write soon, or perhaps Celicia since I'm not always around when they send letters to the beach."
(Amori)
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elicia breaks her focus from the 'octopus' and turns to Maertock.

"Just reach out to me if you need anything and Amori's not around. I'll make sure it gets to him," she assures.

It was, after all, her job.
(Celicia)
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 Amori says, "Anyway, good night."
Celicia says, "Sleep well, Amori."
 Maertock Reave says, "Yes."
 Maertock Reave says, "Celicia is a good secretary. You picked well."
 Maertock Reave says, "And now, I believe our business for now is concluded. Rest well, have minimal nightmares. Etcetera."
Amori says, "She works hard. She didn't always know how to write. And yes, you as well. We'll see you around."
 He hands his secretary her pay and then retires for the night.
(Amori)
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 Maertock would nod, turning into shadows as the meeting concluded. No blood shed? truly they were getting old.
(Maertock Reave)