Elria: The New World

8 - Ariṣe

Ari's crew docked of the coast of Nwe'Simbata* and lowered the gangplank. Almost immediately, their ship was quickly boarded by merchants, eager to trade for more goods or coins. Soon the deck was picked clean, and each crew member's wallets were full. Ari sighed; glad the journey was even more profitable. Despite Zik's assurances, the Priestess had been remarkably good at tempting their crew to mutiny. Thankfully, they wouldn't have to worry about future discontent as the Priests were to disembark at noon.

"Your crew seems to be very happy with their newest haul." Olarya shuffled next to Ari's spot overlooking their crew. "Imagine the wealth you could gain at Ile-Lori. I hear they even sell fine Sh'tàiyán spider silk, enough to outfit your whole crew. Or Greci pickled olives. Those taste great when paired with Meyni spiced agave wine. I've had it once, it goes down like fire a-"

"Don't tempt me with the idea of profit and booze." Ari turned to face the priestess. She was leaning against Ari's captain chair, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Oh, I would never do such a thing." She answered innocently. "But if I was... Is it working? Hypothetically speaking."

"Nope."

"You can't blame me for trying." She shrugged.

Olarya was about to respond but was drowned out by the noise of something heavy hitting the deck. Their sailors were rolling several barrels of palm wine out of the hull and began to feel their wine horns. Zik plucked the strings of his akonting while Niyilolawa joined him on their talking drum. The scent of palm wine gave Ari an idea.

"Honestly Priestess, I don't think you'd be able to handle my crew for much longer," Ari said as the music below got louder.

"Really? How so?"

"Once most of our work is done and we've sold off our goods, we can get pretty raucous." Ari winked at the Priestess. "I don't think a woman of the cloth could really handle it"

"I'm sure I can handle it," She hmphed, folding her hands and pouting.

"I bet anyone of my crew could drink you priests under the table." They learned in, leering with a shark grin. "I bet I could drink you under the table."

"Is that a challenge?" Olarya's eyebrow rose.

Ari shrugged. "Maybe."

"What's in it for me?"

"Name your price."

She paused for a moment; Ari could see the gears whirling in her head. If they'd played their cards right, Olarya would take the bait. "If I win, you come with us to Ile-Lori and join the expedition."

"And when you lose?"

"If I lose, I'll stop trying to convince you."

"Deal." Ari offered their hand. "Don't say I didn't warn you Priestess."

Olarya ignored their hand at first. "Don't worry about me. I just need to know you'll keep your word."

Ari anticipated this, but quickly moved to reassure her. "I swear it on my honour and on Tian themself."

Tian was the god of justice and truth, as a demigod and priest, they kept particular watch on any vows they made on their name, promising swift retribution if the promise was broken. The priestess grabbed their hand with little hesitation after that, trying her best to squeeze in a way Ari guessed was supposed to be intimidating. With how tiny her hand was, it's almost comical.

Ari chuckled as she dropped their hand; The pair began to descend to the quarter deck and joined the revelry. They announced their intentions to Niyilolawa who mutely nodded and began to tap out an announcement on their talking drum, letting the whole crew know a challenge was placed. Someone else rolled another barrel of palm wine onto the deck and yet another dragged a table and two chairs to the centre of the deck. Zik poured the first two tankards.