"Oh you have no friggin' clue." snapped someone entering the oppressive stone archway behind them. The exasperated voice belonged to a dark, sunken-faced monk who was almost as soaked as Baylin, with a shaved head. On his waterlogged robes was the insignia of a coin. In one hand was a dirty shovel. "First mad Otani, now this nonsense... You know how many shankings I've had to deal with today?" He didn't wait for Baylin to respond before muttering "Enough to make me smash a cart or two in frustration." "So." said the man who apparently dealt with seaside shankings as he clapped Baylin on the shoulder, "I've got a problem, foreigner. I have to tell aaall these fishermen that we're working on a solution and something'll be just around the corner and that they shouldn't go out and try to punch an Otani in the face." The two of them began to walk (whether Baylin felt it or not) as he continued, "Issue is, none of us have any idea what's going on, and those little water-creeps have been stonewalling us." The monk chuckled a little at that before turning to Baylin. "Seriously though," he said gravely, "They're kidnapping kids out there. That shyke can't stand." "We need us someone who speaks sea monster. Jubilation, Kelwyn sends us a pair of 'em." Not a sensitive lot, monks. "So be honored, you're gonna help mother Nyka." Not ones to request much, either. "You're gonna go figure out what in Hai's name these Otani have to do with the tides. You're gonna tell us. We'll take care of the rest. Simple shyke. Even outsiders should be able to figure it out. In exchange, we'll feed you and all that for as long as you want to stay with us. Deal?" He didn't wait for an answer before sticking out a calloused hand out for a shake. "When you've got something for me, ask for Dalin. Or just look around the docks. I'll probably be kicking some salty sailor's shins in." Dalin seemed very confident that Baylin would just roll with this plan as opposed to, say, telling the monk to piss off and finding a nice fountain to sleep in. |