Schwinn

Aurora studied Schwinn's reaction to Devrim's declaration. The Captain did not flinch nor show any sign of hesitation. At most, he raised one eyebrow slightly in curiosity. 

"You sound a bit desperate," he admitted after a moment. 

"That is one way to put it," Brinn blurted before Alvar put his arm around her shoulder. He gave her a gentle squeeze that begged her not to scare off the sailor just yet. 

"Before we get too far into this," the Empress interrupted, "I would like to know your qualifications and accomplishments, Captain." 

The man's tan skin and salt-laced beard spoke of a healthy relationship with the sun and sea, but those things alone did not make a man competent. Aurora wanted to know more about the Captain before entrusting her with such a vital task. 

"Of course, m'lady," Schwinn seemed to understand. "I am not a pirate if that is what you are worried about. I am honest through and through and have never once knowingly carted contraband as a captain." 

Aurora winced. 

"Wait, you are not wanting me to smuggle something illegal, are you? Malik knows I don't deal in that sort of thing." Schwinn shot the Guardian an accusatory look.

Malik smiled, "I think it would be quite difficult for this group to do anything illegal even if they tried."

"I am sorry, Captain. We are not going to ask you to do anything untoward. I winced because it had not even occurred to me to ask such a question. I was merely wondering if you are up to the task we are setting out to do." Aurora's blue-flecked eyes showed no sign of deception.

The sailor rubbed the back of his neck apologetically. "Forgive me, ma'am, for the accusation. You wouldn't have been the first nobleman to try and pressure me into one of those types of deals."

"I would very much like the names of those individuals." Devrim's face darkened.

Malik held up one hand. "Have no fear, I deal with those individuals when that situation arises in my city."

Somewhat placated, Devrim decided to table the issue for a later time. He steered back to the original topic. "My wife asked for your qualifications."

Schwinn smiled and gave a small salute. "And the missus is very wise to do so. I have quite the impressive resume if I do say so myself. I have sailed to every major port on the eastern side of the continent and even traded with the people as far out to sea as the Seven Isles. I have never successfully been overtaken by pirates and I have varying levels of watercraft depending on your need. I have six ships to my name, each with their own Captain that answers to me except for the Freiheit, which is my own personal vessel. Aboard her, you could go to the ends of the earth and still not break her spirit."

"That is good to know," Alavar nodded seriously. It was Brinn's turn to elbow her husband.

"So if that answers your curiosity, I hope you will indulge me in satisfying my own." Schwinn winked.

"Now wait just a second," Nurlan, who had been quietly stewing, suddenly broke into the conversation. He had not liked the way the two men were addressing the royals with such casualness.

While he could forgive the Guardian due to his ancient nature, he was not about to let a random sailor be quite so familiar.

"It's fine," Aurora calmed the general. "I have not taken offense."

The Empress had not been introduced during the meeting, and even if she had been, Aurora was not ready to be upset by someone's friendly nature.

"You do well to protect your employers," Schwinn nodded. "I will try be more respectful. Where do you want to go, Good Sir and My Lady?"

Devrim ignored Brinn's ridiculous grin. "We want to go to the South."

"Oh? There is nothing much south of here," Schwinn pulled at his chin. "Are you wanting to fish or whale hunt? None of my ships are equipped for the latter."

"We are not wanting to just go south. We are wanting to go to the South. The bottom of the world. Can you get us there?" Aurora waited with bated breath.

"All of you? That will take three of my ships at least. Schwinn tried to remember how many men he had seen on his way in. "Just people or horses too?"

"Just people. We don't think horses will be able to withstand the cold." Devrim answered.

"I'm not sure people can either," Schwinn added absentmindedly. "You may want to get some extra thick coats. Wildwater is famous for their cloth you know…"

The captain stopped giving his advice after another warning look from the general. The silence stretched out.

It was Aurora's frail voice that finally broke it. "So, can you take us?"

Schwinn chewed his lip for a moment. "I can. But it begs the question. Why the blazes do you want to go to the South?"

Nurlan let out an exasperated sigh.

Schwinn cleared his throat. "I mean. Pray tell why doth thou wish to goeth south?" He looked at the General. "Is that better?"

"No." Nurlan looked ready to burst a blood vessel.

"Goodness, Nurlan, I've never seen you like this! Is it because he has the sense of humor that you lack?" Brinn teased.

"I think the General has a great eye for humor. This is just a different kind," Zan tried to diffuse the situation.

"General? Nurlan? I thought you looked familiar!" Schwinn clapped his hands together, his face filled with delight. He opened his arms wide and pointed to himself. "It's Scooter, Mooney's younger brother."

Nurlan went from angry to perplexed in an instant. "That cannot be. That little slip of a boy was barely above my waist when I joined the army. There is no way he grew as big as you!"

"Yet here I stand…sit!" Schwinn grinned.

"No wonder I was annoyed with you!" Nurlan's face split into a wide grin. "It is good to see you, Scooter."

Schwinn returned his grin. "Good to see you too. Last I heard, you were guarding Her Majesty. How did you end up here?"

"Doing what you just said. Guarding Her Majesty." Nurlan somehow managed to keep a straight face.

The Captain furrowed his brow. "How can that be…unless…"

"Wait for it," Brinn held up one finger to her husband.

Schwinn's eyes grew big as saucers. He fell on his face. "Your Majesty, I had no idea!"

"That never gets old," Brinn shed tears of laughter. "How can people see your crazy hair and eyes and not think 'hmmm this is someone special'?"

"I believe there is quite the trend among the lower nobility to copy my strange features, is that not right, Captain?" Aurora tried to engage the embarrassed sailor.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. So I just assumed you were some pompous noble, not the real deal. Forgive me for being so forward! You were more than patient with me." Schwinn kept his eyes low.

"There is no harm done. Though I do hope it will not prevent you from helping us. If both Guardian Malik and General Nurlan are willing to vouch for you, then I would be foolish not to have you as my top pick." Aurora looked at Nurlan for his final verdict.

"Scooter may like to tease, but he has a good heart. I cannot vouch for him as a sailor, but as a person, he's a good egg." The General answered confidently.

"Would not using a military vessel be more appropriate for someone of your standing?" Schwinn tried to make sense of what was happening.

"With more preparations and time, that would be true, but haste is of the essence. None of Valiant's boats would have been able to make this journey." Devrim then went on to explain the nature of their quest as well as everything that was at stake.

Thankfully Malik was able to confirm that his magic cloak had lost its abilities or the Captain might have thought they were all mad.

"Wait, you both are elves?" He looked at Brinn and Alvar in shock.

"You thought this golden skin was natural?" The princess guffawed.

"It is rather dark in here. I hadn't given it much thought," Schwinn shrugged.

"I hope you have nothing against magical folk," Aurora bit her lip. "We also have a fairy with us." Her brows rose, "Where is Reyan?" 

"Probably scanning behind us to make sure that serpent didn't follow us," Devrim said. "He has been doing that any time we stop. He told us that back in Secluse he believed the snake had gone home, but we still warned the people there. It has become his habit to make sure we are safe. Reyan should be back soon." 

"Sounds like a most responsible fellow, your Reyan," Schwinn nodded. "I shall be most glad to have him aboard."

"Let's see if he still says that after meeting him," Brinn whispered to Alvar. 

"Wait, does that mean you agree?" Devrim caught the implication behind the words. 

A smile split Schwinn's face as he dipped his head. "I would be most honored to help save the world." 

"Wait, does this mean we will get stories of young Nurlan? Those are tales I would be most interested to hear!" Brinn looked eagerly at Schwinn.

"Don't you dare!" Nurlan yelled before catching himself. "I mean, Your Highness would not be interested in those." 

"I see," Brinn pouted. "Thank you for looking out for me." Behind the general's back, the elf winked at the captain. They could catch up later.