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13th Winter 513AV
The Docks were always a hive of activity and they offered a rare opportunity to those who visited them: a glimpse of the rest of Mizahar. Ships came from regions near and far carrying stories as well as goods. It was for these stories that Caela came to the docks. She went to find out interesting tidbits of news or wild and exotic tales. It really didn't matter what she heard really, she just loved the atmosphere as sailors boasted to each other about who had had the better adventure at sea. They could be heard calling to each other from ship to ship, from dockside to dockside, trying to spin the better yarn. The more fascinating tales would be told when they were drunk but the tavern the sailors visited was not a good place for a woman like Caela to go, although she'd risked the trip once or twice. Her entry to such a place changed the tone of the talk and the suggestive and vulgar language the sailors used was enough to leave her cheeks flaming. Working in an ordinary tavern listening to drunken men was nothing compared to what came out of the mouths of sailors.
It was Caela's reason for wandering the Docks today, to catch any little bits of news that might be floating around. She was eager to hear from any who'd been in the further ports though there wouldn't be many at this time of year. Such well travelled sailors switched to ships on more frequent routes and so many would find their way to Sunberth. These sailors liked to brag about their further experiences and the dancer was always searching for those sailors who brought stories of women who could live in the water as well as on land, or the strange sea people. Many of them were eager to brag in the presence of a pretty woman in their domain, most keeping civil tongues in their heads in the absence of drink. There were always a couple though who couldn't resist trying to flirt with her or tempt her to their beds. It was a vain hope but the young woman enjoyed a bit of banter with the sea men. There was never any harm in learning how to play men against each other either, a skill that she enjoyed practising. Jealousy was a powerful tool after all.
Today was no different. Her presence hadn't gone unnoticed and the men were never worried about them catching her staring. A secretive smile or a wink at men that she'd seen before always elicited a good reaction. Those who knew her purpose would call out some snippets to her to try to hold her attention but very few could hold her where they wanted to. She was always looking for something new and it was for this reason that she headed for a strange new ship that had docked. The girl knew little about ships so she couldn't tell where it might have came from but she just knew that it was one that she hadn't seen before.
Weaving between sailors and labourers at work, Caela treaded a path to the ship's side, eager to investigate. A sailor tried to waylay her but she danced out of his grip, evading him easily and laughing as she did so.
"Ah c'mon, sweetheart! Don't be like that! Stay an' we'll go for a drink," the sailor called after her, trying to make a grab for her. Caela laughed lightly, dodging his grasp again but she'd stopped trying to move closer to the ship for the moment. Tossing her hair back, the dancer regarded him with an aloof expression on her face. "Sorry sweetheart but you haven't got anything to interest me," she replied, her inflection on the name he'd called her clearly showing how she felt about it. Her response had made his mates begin to laugh at him and as she turned away the names he shot after her were not so sweet.
The woman let his words pass over her without a thought, she was used to insults and foul names. There was no real menace behind words, only actions. Like that idiot who'd grabbed her in the tavern just a few days ago. The memory of his hands around her made her flinch but also reminded her of the pale stranger who had been so ready to defend her. The one who had vanished without a trace before she could even thank him.
The sight of pale hair on one of the men on the dock made her pause, wondering if she was imagining things after her line of thoughts. It couldn't be him because that would be just too strange but her steps carried her his way anyway. Sure enough as she got closer, she got a better view of the man and it was indeed her rescuer. Almost without thinking she approached him, surprising herself in her boldness. This wasn't her most comfortable environment no matter her attitude yet here she was approaching someone in unfamiliar territory.
"Uh... hello again. I thought it might be you," she murmured as she reached his side.
The Docks were always a hive of activity and they offered a rare opportunity to those who visited them: a glimpse of the rest of Mizahar. Ships came from regions near and far carrying stories as well as goods. It was for these stories that Caela came to the docks. She went to find out interesting tidbits of news or wild and exotic tales. It really didn't matter what she heard really, she just loved the atmosphere as sailors boasted to each other about who had had the better adventure at sea. They could be heard calling to each other from ship to ship, from dockside to dockside, trying to spin the better yarn. The more fascinating tales would be told when they were drunk but the tavern the sailors visited was not a good place for a woman like Caela to go, although she'd risked the trip once or twice. Her entry to such a place changed the tone of the talk and the suggestive and vulgar language the sailors used was enough to leave her cheeks flaming. Working in an ordinary tavern listening to drunken men was nothing compared to what came out of the mouths of sailors.
It was Caela's reason for wandering the Docks today, to catch any little bits of news that might be floating around. She was eager to hear from any who'd been in the further ports though there wouldn't be many at this time of year. Such well travelled sailors switched to ships on more frequent routes and so many would find their way to Sunberth. These sailors liked to brag about their further experiences and the dancer was always searching for those sailors who brought stories of women who could live in the water as well as on land, or the strange sea people. Many of them were eager to brag in the presence of a pretty woman in their domain, most keeping civil tongues in their heads in the absence of drink. There were always a couple though who couldn't resist trying to flirt with her or tempt her to their beds. It was a vain hope but the young woman enjoyed a bit of banter with the sea men. There was never any harm in learning how to play men against each other either, a skill that she enjoyed practising. Jealousy was a powerful tool after all.
Today was no different. Her presence hadn't gone unnoticed and the men were never worried about them catching her staring. A secretive smile or a wink at men that she'd seen before always elicited a good reaction. Those who knew her purpose would call out some snippets to her to try to hold her attention but very few could hold her where they wanted to. She was always looking for something new and it was for this reason that she headed for a strange new ship that had docked. The girl knew little about ships so she couldn't tell where it might have came from but she just knew that it was one that she hadn't seen before.
Weaving between sailors and labourers at work, Caela treaded a path to the ship's side, eager to investigate. A sailor tried to waylay her but she danced out of his grip, evading him easily and laughing as she did so.
"Ah c'mon, sweetheart! Don't be like that! Stay an' we'll go for a drink," the sailor called after her, trying to make a grab for her. Caela laughed lightly, dodging his grasp again but she'd stopped trying to move closer to the ship for the moment. Tossing her hair back, the dancer regarded him with an aloof expression on her face. "Sorry sweetheart but you haven't got anything to interest me," she replied, her inflection on the name he'd called her clearly showing how she felt about it. Her response had made his mates begin to laugh at him and as she turned away the names he shot after her were not so sweet.
The woman let his words pass over her without a thought, she was used to insults and foul names. There was no real menace behind words, only actions. Like that idiot who'd grabbed her in the tavern just a few days ago. The memory of his hands around her made her flinch but also reminded her of the pale stranger who had been so ready to defend her. The one who had vanished without a trace before she could even thank him.
The sight of pale hair on one of the men on the dock made her pause, wondering if she was imagining things after her line of thoughts. It couldn't be him because that would be just too strange but her steps carried her his way anyway. Sure enough as she got closer, she got a better view of the man and it was indeed her rescuer. Almost without thinking she approached him, surprising herself in her boldness. This wasn't her most comfortable environment no matter her attitude yet here she was approaching someone in unfamiliar territory.
"Uh... hello again. I thought it might be you," she murmured as she reached his side.
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