Chapter 4: Open Sea

Iantah looks to Nikias and back to Stelios. 'It's your ship, I will follow your lead if we take him. '

Nikias nods slowly. "Come then, we'll take you home and see this Chara of yours, if it proves safe." He turns to one of his men, "See that this man has food and what comfort we can muster."

Once the man is led away, he turns to his companions and one of his other men, "I want that man watched at all times while aboard this vessel. I don't trust his presence or motivations, nor would I turn him away. We'll set watches. He is to remain below decks until we arrive, unless guarded by no less than two dedicated, armed men."

With a quick "Sir. We'll need at least two to sail his ship, and a third to work repairs to keep it afloat. Waste not." and a tap of fist to chest the scout would follow the newcomer below decks. Blinking to let his eyes get used to the darkness he'd lead the wayward lover to his own captives, grabbing a bit of tattered netting as he went "Idle hands make active work" was the motto of every military leader of every rank, and he was no different. "Come, sit." he'd offer to the newcomer before settling himself next to Cassandra "Have you three ever repaired a net?"

"Good plan, Kouru. I had thought to leave it derelict, yet I suppose we could keep it afloat and bring it along, unless it becomes too cumbersome."

He whistles and catches the attention of two men nearby. "You two, strong sailors as you are, you'll set to this man's ship and keep it in pace with our own. Before you go, find Aratus - he's keen with hammer and nails, more than most - have him come along and focus on critical repairs."

'I agree, but I do not know of Sirens who lure with dreams as well as their voices. Maybe I should get Nikias to prepare materials to block the crews ears just in case. We should both be on our guard'

Nikias nods in agreement, "The story doesn't add up, I agree. Something is off about this man. If it turns out he is mad, we will cut his ship loose and leave it adrift. Regardless, we will attempt to bring the man ashore where we next dock. Mad though he may be, I would not desire to leave someone to their fates upon these waters."

With a cocked eyebrow he'd first toss a waterskin to his new... companion... and simply plop down to find a spot in need of work "Well, as long as you two are in this bind, I supposes there's nothing to do but show you the ropes." Picking a simple snag as an example he'd hold up the two ends to the soft light filtering in through the hatch "It's fairly simple in general, all you do to start is..."

'..I appreciate the sailors may complain, but it likely for the be...wait. ' Iantha stops her discussion with the warrior as she spots the creatures off the bow. Even as she walks for a closer look her spear is in hand as she tries to figure out what she is looking at.

Nikias takes note of what caught Iantha's eye. "What is it you see there? Dolphins?"

"Of course you like me. I'm a bloody delight. Mother always said so. You know, my father once told me that a wise man keeps a beautiful wife near the temple of Hera and Aphrodite and away from the docks. The gods may be jealous at times, but I've never heard of a good wife being injured by any of the Ladies. Now, carried off by their husbands... " Glancing up at the break in the rhythm of work the scout would look first to Cassandra, then speak to Helenus "How are you two faring with the sea? I know that some find the motion difficult, but try and make sure you two are eating and drin- "

Headaches. She was cursed by Apollo. 𐤏𐤌𐤀𐤂.

"-king. " Shifting slightly he'd bend down to catch Cassandra's eye, his own gaze concerned - and concerned on many levels.

"Is it just the company, or is there something else giving you that headache?"

Iantha lowers her weapon but it stays in her hands. 'Nereids. They don't often mean harm, but they don't look happy. I suggest you get your more... 'impressionable' men below.' As she speaks to walks towards the edge of the ship towards the approaching people.

Reaching a weathered, bronzed hand into a bag he'd pull out a few simple ship cakes. Pressed oats baked in bacon fat with a little honey, they weren't a delicacy by any means but were a pleasant enough way to keep up one's energy. Passing them around he'd simply nod to Cassandra and mutter "Seldom are" before reaching over to Helenus "Over, under, behind, and through, gives the fish passage but only to you." I wonder if old Lysander is still alive came the thought unbidden as his memory flashed to days long ago "Speaking of which, is it only game used in your... the craft, or can fish be used as well? I had an aunt who used the flight of birds, but I don't know if that was real or just her imagination. Is it something that has to be learned, like standing in a shield wall, or is it something that has to be more felt, like poetry... or more something that has to be done, like guiding an arrow to the target through practice?"

Breaking the cake neatly in his hands the spartan would pass one half over to Stelios and then take his half between surprisingly white teeth, breaking off a small chunk to be tongued between molars and cheek to soften. Bull guts, bird flight, brass lamps, and gifts... He could feel the pull of the smooth sphere in a pouch at his waist, the weight something more than simple physical mass.

'Greetings. I am Iantha if the Amazon.' She throws Nikias a look as the Nerieds ask for Stelios. It was his vessel nit hers, so up to him to give up someone under his care.

'What has he done?... Wait.. I don't suppose one of you is Chara? '