The Archman

Chapter 32 - A Misplaced Hunger, Part 1

"How much longer do you anticipate it will take?" The Archman stands at the edge of the harbor, looking out as dozens of crewmates transport supplies out to four ships, resting in the crescent bay.

"A few more hours, probablement." Jacob estimates, observing his subordinates as they take loads of rations and equipment with them in the dinghies, delivering them up to the larger vessels.

Eira waits at the Archman's side, pulling at the collar around her neck. It is starting to heat up under the sun, making it quite uncomfortable against her skin. It isn't nearly uncomfortable enough to make it worth bringing up, however. Especially since she needs as much social currency with the Archman as she can gather, for a certain prospect that she's begun mulling over.

She turns and looks over at Jacob, who is standing upright with a bright freshness. It is an odd state to see him in, as she'd only ever engaged with him when he was in a bitter, diseased state. Just a few days after the Archman's procedure, and he already looks ten years younger. He now looks like a completely different person than he did a week ago. His face has a healthy colour to it, and the dark rings under his eyes are completely gone.

Eira had initially surmised that Jacob was Fiona's older brother by a large margin, but now she suspects that he is actually the younger sibling. The additional fact that Fiona is the one currently corralling the crewmates together and delegating tasks to them is more evidence that she is the eldest. Or perhaps it is just a chore she can busy herself with so she can more easily avoid the Archman, which she's been doing a lot more lately.

"D'ailleurs, what's our lead gonna be?" Jacob asks the Archman, stretching his arms over his head like a plant trying to absorb as much sunlight as possible.

"I'm working on it. The winds have shifted, and the navy could be anywhere." The Archman responds with dry logic. "And we've got bounty hunters to contend with now."

"Hah, is there personne who doesn't want you dead?"

The Archman's eyes glance over at Eira for a split second, then snap back to Jacob.

"Unlikely."

"Bien, well, let me know when you've got a lead for us." Jacob gives a final remark before walking away towards Fiona.

The Archman gathers up the chain from Eira's collar, preparing to leave as well. He and Eira walk along one of the many wooden docks, until they arrive at the dinghy to the Archman's ship. They climb inside and pull away from the harbor, gliding through the still water towards the Archman's ship.

"What's the matter?" The Archman inquires out of nowhere.

"Hm? What?" Eira sits upright quickly, taken aback by the abrupt question.

"You have a look in your eyes that could pierce steel." The Archman banters casually.

Eira feels her stomach churn uncomfortably, as she is presented with a prime opportunity to act upon the contemplation which has been occupying her.

"It's nothing." Eira says with as much nonchalance as she can make to seem genuine. The discomfort in her stomach eases itself, but doesn't go away completely.

She knows that she is just pushing off an inevitably excruciating conversation, and that she has done nothing more than buy herself time. Part of her wonders if she can just forget about her rumination, but a much larger part of her knows that she will eternally regret it if she didn't ask at all.

Eira and the Archman sit in silence all the way back to his ship, and stay that way as the dinghy is hoisted up to the platform, as they enter the ship, and as the Archman guides her through the hallways.