Snippet #2466547

Though he was not one to judge, Balor felt it rude of the captain to almost entirely ignore the man he had been speaking with when he decided to respond to the old wizard's question. Nevertheless, he accepted the man's extended hand, having to first shift which one held his staff. A matter of levitating it would have been simple, but better not to seem like he was showing off. "Ah, good. Good. I was hoping there would be someone willing." Just as he was about to remind Adrian that the mercenary had been snubbed, the good captain began to speak to all assembled. He listened intently to the captain's proclamation, and nodded steadily once he was through. Taking his staff in both hands and leaning on it for support, Balor replied plainly, "Payment will not be a trouble, I assure you, and as long as the work is not too strenuous I see no harm in earning my keep." He viewed himself as a servant and a student first and foremost, the literal meaning of these subject to alteration. Seeing it fortunate that he had found a vessel charting just the course he required, and more so willing to accept passengers, who was he to argue with such simple terms?

With that out of the way it felt as if everything from then on out should have been simple. Of course, there were always little details left unknown. The Narans approached the ship, the Naralin stepping up onto the ramp to speak to the captain. "Oh, pardon me. Terribly sorry," he said while stepping down from the gangplank and onto the dock, making room for the two. He surveyed the area for a moment, though kept his ears trained to what the beastman was saying. He smiled softly to himself, now things were beginning to fall into place. They had arranged passage, which invariably meant that another force could be added to the list of those who sought the lodestone. He could not at the moment recall the name of the city ruled by Naragas, but suspected they wished one of these potential weapons for some sort of ill gotten gain. The region was well known for its infighting. Much like how he was certain Nàsk wanted it for similar purposes. He was quite aware of Adrian's past find, though had not been aware he would be headed to Saridur beforehand. He mused whether or not Nàsk's decision to send a single captain instead of an armada to claim the stone was made to keep the Sea Elves from worrying, or their own neighbors. He would have to have been deaf not to notice the derisive tone to the Naralin's words, but paid it no mind. His views were not Balor's concern. The play for the lodestone, on the other hand, was a different story.