Eira walks with a steady pace through the late evening streets, which are nearly empty, save for the occasional loiterer or pedestrian she strides by.
She had little over an hour of daylight to work with, as she didn't want to be outside after the sun had set.
She comes up to the front of a long building near the city docks, the naval barracks. It is a well-maintained, militaristic establishment which stands out from the other structures around it due to its lack of deterioration. She considers knocking on the front door as she walks up to it, but opts instead to just open it and let herself in.
The inside of the barracks are about as empty as the streets. There is a naval officer sitting at a front desk, reading from a small booklet under the dim light of a single candlestick. Eira walks over to him, taking his attention up from his reading material.
"Is this where Adru- the Archman is being kept?" Eira asks urgently.
The officer visibly and audibly sighs, setting his booklet aside but keeping his posture in its lackadaisical slump.
"Yes, we're keeping him downstairs. And before you ask, no, you're not allowed to see him." The officer replies lazily. This is clearly not the first time he's had to turn someone away who's inquired about the fabled Archman.
"I...why not?" Eira asks, not anticipating that she'd be so quickly rejected.
"You think you're the first person who's wanted to come bare witness to the Archman? If I let one person in, then I have to let everyone in. Just wait until tomorrow for the execution."
"I'm here on direct orders from Commodore Kinsley. I have a message to be relayed." Eira embellishes her half-truth with a stern conviction, making it seem much more legitimate than it really is.
"A message?" The officer questions with light skepticism. "I can just relay it if need be-"
"It's a private communication. I've been told not to disclose it with anyone other than the Archman." Eira presses further.
"And why would Commodore Kinsley send you of all people?" The officer raises a distrustful eyebrow.
"My name is Eira Pryce, Commodore Kinsley's fiancé."
Both of the officer's eyebrows are now raised, his doubtfulness now replaced with a pensive hesitancy. Eira can sense his shift in demeanour and exploits it to the best of her ability.
"If you really insist on turning me away, that is fine. Just tell me your name and rank so I can inform Commodore Kinsley who it was that kept me from delivering my message." Eira takes a step back, readying herself to leave the barracks.
"Ah, hold on..." The officer sits up from his slouched position. His doubts concerning Eira's request hadn't disappeared, but he isn't about to take any chances now that his reputation is on the line. "Just give me a moment..."
The officer stands up and fishes out a large keyring from a drawer.
~
The officer guides Eira down into the basement of the barracks, which is little more than a long, dark corridor that contains a dozen holding cells. Unlike the polished outside of the building, these cells are in an unapologetically decrepit state. There is clearly no effort being taken to provide the minimum amount of upkeep or cleanliness. So long as it serves its purpose of keeping individuals contained behind iron bars, there isn't any more work to be done.
All the cells looked to be completely empty, though it is hard to say for certain due to the lack of sunlight coming into the space.
"He's in the last one, at the back there." The officer points to the end of the corridor, indicating one of the cells.
YOU ARE READING
The Archman
RomanceWhile departing for London to meet with her fiancé, Eira Pryce finds herself taken captive by a living legend, the fabled pirate known only as the Archman. As it turns out, the fables may not have been so accurate in their portrayal of this mythic f...
