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Somewhat perplexed by the actions described to him, Khaldun sighed. "I should hope that you can understand why this is of the utmost importance, for if it is the younger, I would not put it past your Jackson to stop me from meeting my liaison at all costs. Tell me, is he a man who likes his liquor?" An idea was formulating within Khaldun's head, and he only hoped it would work. As for his questions, he would save them for another time. Once his own skin was safely preserved he would worry about that of the girl.

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Putting a hand to his face and dragging it down through his beard, Cenek sighed heavily. [[Our motherland is a little less than a week from our coordinates. Can you make it last that long, Tomas?]] He knew if they docked in Nine Waters many of the men would not be making another voyage with him, but it was a risk he would have to take.

[[Good. I do hope we have some I may offer later. I imagine it will be the only way I can get any information out of him about this deal he made.]]

Flicking his eyes to Jackson a moment, then back to Angela, he smiled broadly. [[So you dislike this oaf? What ought we do to him then, to teach him his own place?]] He did not want to intrude upon her personal matters, and he felt this would allow her to discuss what had happened if she wished, or to simply get even regardless.

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[[Glad to hear it. Now, before you go, will you help me with one more task?]] He waited for the boy's assent before detailing it.

[[A contract means little to the heart. But I shall abide by your wishes. What do we have to offer?]] He was beginning to grow tired, and he felt it would be best if he slept during the height of the sun. It would likely be wiser to deal with Jackson in the afternoon before sleeping, as he wanted him to be sober for the day's journey.

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[[I need you to write a report detailing what's happened here. And, if you're willing, I need you to face Ulysses and Khepri with me. They are dear friends...and I cannot tell them what has happened to their boy alone. Please help, Tomas.]] Cenek's tone had softened considerably, and it was evident that he had struggled every night with how to tell his friends their only son was gone.

[[Wonderful.]] Khaldun rose and strode over to the trunk that Angela had described, rummaging through it carefully. It was not long before he found the desired item, which he carried with him back to his seat. [[He has been complaining about the lack of civilized company...]] Now all he had to do was wait for the man to wake and engage him in conversation.

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A small smile crept over Cenek's face. [[No, I certainly cannot fault you for naive hope. We were all young once.]] With a shooing gesture, he said, [[Dismissed.]]

He could not help feeling sorry for the boy. These sorts of youthful indiscretions were not completely unheard of in the upper classes, and almost all involved eventually grew out of the phase, finding pretty wives and building families. He was certain that in a few years, once he had accumulated a small fortune of his own, he would forget Khaldun and do the same as every other.

Khaldun shrugged. He wasn't about to wake the man, but rather wait for him to get up on his own. If Angela asked him anything while he waited, he would converse with her, but was otherwise silent.

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Spending much of his days with Daemon, Ylli had begun to notice his utter reluctance in discussing what had happened with the candy-haired maiden below. He had suggested doing so on more than one occasion now, but Daemon had always shrugged it off. He knew the girl had been asking, and he thought it was wrong not to tell her.

One night as he brought her meager supper to her, as he always did, he decided that someone ought to tell the poor thing. He was not entirely sure how to go about doing this, but he made the attempt nevertheless. [[I doubt your friend will ever tell you what became of Khaldun, but I'll tell you, if you'd really like to know. Please don't be upset with me if you don't like the details, miss.]]

Without waiting for Angela's approval, Khaldun crept to the tent, Baruti's staff in hand. He was not entirely sure what to expect from the description the man had given, so he was especially cautious. Gently pulling the flap open, he ducked inside.

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[[I understand. I spend much of my time in quiet observation, as you do, and this is what I see. I see a boy who refuses to believe what he has seen with his own eyes and what he has been told by all else who witnessed it. I see a boy brimming with hope and faith, but one who has rested so much upon these that he will crumble should he be given evidence that he is wrong. But, I think,]] he paused. [[I think he knows where he can find his answer. But he is terrified of it, most of all.]] Ylli waited for the girl to finish her meal. He did not care if she made a reply, but he hoped he may be able to play the middleman between the two foreigners.

Wary of what may have done this to Jackson, or better still, what -Jackson- may be trying to do, Khaldun knelt beside him, examining his state. Astral projection, perhaps? Having never encountered such things before, he was unsure what to do. But a swig of liquor revived those in a swoon, so perhaps it would be of some aid here. He crept back out to the camp, picked up the bottle of port, opened the cap, and poured a trickle down Jackson's throat. He then sat back on his heels and waited to see what would happen.

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[[Tell me, miss. If the wind hears his news from the sea, and you hear your news from the wind, has the wind brought you any news of those who were swallowed by the sea?]] For once, he anxiously awaited her answer.

Khaldun put a knee to Jackson's chest and held his staff at his throat. "Tell me what's going on." He stared coldly at the sputtering man, his words as cold as ice.

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Ylli's eyes lit up, then faded again. [[But you won't tell me, will you, miss?]] he asked in a melancholy tone.