Aurore Devareaux

"Then mayhaps, that be what ye needs be tellin' her instead of meself..." Seth finished off tankard content and stood slowly. " The span of a life be a long thin' to be endurin' full of regrets."

Seth steepled his fingers, nodding sagely. "All three of 'em are terrified of open water. An' do ye think Sabastian would admit as much?" He chortled ironicly, "No....Do you think tha' she would say as much when the sea is a second home to ye....To risk disapointment from ye? Doncha see...Tis proof of her love fer ye tha' she is willin' to stand against her fear to be near ye. An' why did ye no' ask her if it was somethin' tha' scared her so? Yer judgin' the girl harsh."

Sabastian paused as he neared the arched entrance to corridor beyond. The mischievous smirk played over his features with challenge as he extended a hand at arm's length in her direction.

Seth eyed him speculatively, "So wha' ye be sayin' is that ye have asked the lass an' din'no' get an answer? An' mind ye...Ain' my dictates...I be as English as yerself. It only be the Three of true blood....the whole lot of us be ou'siders in truth. Even Christophe be tainted...." He took a deep pull of the tankard and sat quietly for a momment. "If ye have truly asked the girl an' she didno' answer....Then I canno' say anythin' other than wha' I have seen. But....If it be that easy to let her go...I be assurin' ye, tha' ye will curse the day as the years go by."

**

"Mademoisselle...Capitaine....You wound me to the quick, non? Do you think me some petty thief who slinks through the night and pounces on innocent passers-by? You think that I would run to Modyford like some starved hound after a bit of table scrap for reward?" Sabastian turned and started for the rear corridor. "Then perhaps it is I, that is truly being underestimated. Au revoire, ma petit."

Seth drew calmly from the tankard afore him, then shook his head slowly as it was set aside. "They are no' a confrontational people by nature. No' ta say that they are wi'out backbone, mind. But....Have ye ever asked the lass abou' any of this? I be one to wager high ye have no'..." He signaled for another brandy then leaned forward to elbow support.

Childermass scowled, "Ye think what she does is abou' rules? Fekk..Ye are a lost one....Ever'thin' tha' lass has done fer ye has broken traditions. Yer an outsider....Unclean an' tainted. I don' know what ye be expectin' as a show of devotion, but ye must no' have a bit ah common sense in yer noggin if ye are so blind to the way she caters to ye. Ye think its' tradition....Tis a good laugh that. If that be yer true thinkin's mayhaps ye should jus hand er o'er to the Frenchie...I can guarantee he'll be knowin' the difference...."

"Then ye be a fool, boy...An ye canno' see the lay of the land." Seth paused to order a tankard of brandy and refill his pipe. "If ye let her go...It will haunt ye the rest of yer days. I kin say it bien's tha I know. An I can also be tellin' ye...If ye step out of the way, there be another tha'll take yer stead wi'out hesitatin'." The pipe was drawn deeply and exhauled as steady stream. "You don' know the Rom, nor the markin' of a true love....If Sabastian gave consent, it were only cause he knew tha it would be a wise match."

"Aye...When'na time comes...But, first I be wantin' ta know what all tha' buzziness was abou'....Though I be thinkin' I might already." Seth waved to a serving maid, request for pipe was given and she hurried away. "Stakes be high, boy....Ye may wish ta be considerin' hard where ta lay yer ante an' how ta be playin' yer hand." He leaned foward, eyeing Sterling sharply, "The buzziness..."

serve

The tavern of choice was gained by twist and turn of alley byway. Back entrance was choosen, followed by a table near the hearth. Cider was brought in quick return and Seth reached into the folds of frock, producing a battered pipe and tobacco. Bowl filled and lit, his manner was as if he sat alone at worn plank instead of with companion. When pipe was finished, the pale eyes turned to regard Sterling closely, "Now ye gon' tell me wha' that buzziness be abou'?"

Childermass closed the distance, reaching down to grasp the collar of Sterling's coat and hauled him to his feet. "I suggest we find shelter from this wet, somethin' warm to drink, an' then ye shall sit an' listen....an' I shall talk." Seth turned away, passing through the archway then turned left.

"Inspection could be done this eve....But give me reason to trust you in regarding passage to and from the vessel in question...to give you such advantage over mine well being is rather fool hardy, would you not agree?" Sabastian regained his feet, measuring her visually once again," How shall we strike a bargin of trust in this situation?" The impish smile returned, "How shall we seal the deal of good faith, eh Mademoisselle?"

Childermass leaned against second archway that gave access to the alleyway. No movement was made when charge made forward pitch, no effort to retrieve what floated down the black river to destinations unknown. Crossing arms over chest, Seth regarded Sterling with cassual interest, unbeknownst to the other until spoken word disrupted the area's odd rhythem of elemental sway. "Feelin' better now?"

The young woman's self assuredness was impressive. Ransom had successfully handled the tests set afore her, and in turn, called the lay of the field. Sabastian responded to challenge with wry chuckle and another bow of shallower measure. " Tres vien, cherie...Such a cargo must have you feeling slightly apprehensive, non? Those in stature of authoritive means might be very willing to take such into possession for themselves...and the vessel, as well." He moved around her, resuming alabaster throne and replacing plumed crown. Pulling one booted foot to rest on smooth plane, Beggar Prince draped an arm over knee support and measured Ransom from the shadow cast by wide brim. "Perhaps I might consider taking on such a risk, but only if said objects were given survey first...Then, perhaps, we might consider barter."

It was a terrifying thing that he asked of her, so forgien to all she knew or grown to know. Within the tribes, even when one married, there was contact with family and the support of other tribes during hard times...but at sea. Aurore shuddered unconsciously as the crossing came to mind again and the stillness of the room became closterphobic in bearing. Land is what she knew, and its' ways were ingrained by the passing of generations without numbering. But also, tradition was passed on and it held its' rights as strongly as it had with conception. Within the dictates, one came to the forefront which cleared her mind and she spoke again in low tones. "Roma stay at their husband's side...regardless of what life and fate place in their path. And I shall do as all others have done before me...That is Tradition...That is the Way."

She looked away, knowing she had disappointed him and not completely understanding why. Aurore centered her attention to the greedy licks of flame on wooden offerings. "There were storms when we crossed over..." her voice a faint whisper. "Storms as I have never witnessed before and nowhere to find shelter...Just miles of nothing as far as the eye could see..."

The fear of blue water spurred her heart to gallop, and Aurore worked hard to keep further evidence of the fact from rising to her face. Concentrating on the pace of her breathing, she said nothing at first then spoke with simplicity. "When it is safe?...."

" Hate?....It is a very strong word to use and why do you say as you do? I am not understanding your meaning of "beloved" and "away"..." The expressive olive pools focused intensely on his own in query.

Right as in correct?... Or right as in, left and right?

Aurore pushed him back gently to a large throw pillow's support and spoke in hushed tones, "Non, Sucre'....I do not think that is their judgement of you...Perhaps they just do not fully understand you. Please do not think too harshly of them for that." She laid gentle caress to his cheek as an act of comfort.

The sound of doorknob turn announced new arrival. Henri Stockton acted as nothing was amiss, moving to a far shelf to retrieve a requested tome. In his wake, Sean Roberts followed, pausing in step to look upon what transpired within the gathering. "Oh T'underin' Jayz!...who tapped the port cask?..." A warning look thrown by Seth cease any further observations. With removal of shirt, the wound was inspected briefly then redressed. What was damped was replaced with dry, then Sterling was laid down to divan support. A quilt was put into use, the others waiting to see if further need was called for. Aurore thanked them quietly, then one by one gathering dispersed, leaving only two.

The carriage was directed to the back courtyard, rear entrance unlocked , then Sterling removed to be placed on chamber divan. Childermass paid the driver, more than what was neccessary, to ensure silence then returned securing the door. Burke glanced sidelong with wrinkling of nose, " Port? Saints be willin' his stomache be made o' stout stuff. I don' t'ink Himself would be much pleased if it be otherwise..." The light pad of footfall sounded above, then in sequence down the stairway. Aurore entered the room with puzzlement lacing her brow, glancing to the two other men then to where Sterling lay. Childermass and Burke moved back to allow her near, no further comments made on the situation. Noticing that he was soaked through, she requested that the small back room hearth be lit then returned to the second floor in search of clothing that might fit while his dried. What was procured was mismatched, by far, but would serve for the time being. Childermass helped prop Sterling's dead weight while she carefully removed wet adornments.

Sabastian pursed his lips in thought to her words. Circling around to stand behind, he leanded forward over her shoulder to right ear. "Then which is it? Barter or sell and what is up for the offering?" he whispered, then backed away, but not before light touch placed errant copper curl in check behind choosen ear.