75th of fall 516av ♦ just after the 3rd bell
baroque bay piers - the leg's other leg
The tinkle of bone against wood could barely be heard against the low murmur of the men that milled about 'The Leg's' pier. Some spoke low and uneasily about the queer things that had been happening around the city, casting wary looks about as if they might somehow see something despite the blackness of night that surrounded them. Others were louder, animated in their mix of humoured insults and arguments as they passed around a flask. Then there were the final few who hovered over a pair of seated bodies and single lantern, their voices rising and falling with the tumble of bones that were being tossed between the two.
This rumble rose suddenly.
“Ah Hai, ya petching cheat!” Ora crowed over the din, pointing accusatorially at the bones that had landed in a 6-6-4-3 configuration, effectively beating his previous toss of 6-6-1-1.
The old, gnarled figure that sat across from him only chuckled low, grinning ear to ear as he settled his fists on his thighs, “Oh, aye? Cheating, uh?” - his brows rose as if to add emphasis - “How in Hai am I meant ta be cheatin' when they're your bloody bones, boy!” A cacophony of laughter, jeers and cheers rose from the small group centred around the game being played, the sound echoing off the planks and boards of the sagging structures in their vicinity. The other men in the area sent curious looks their way.
Ora merely grimaced, trying to hide his own grin as he pursed his lips and shook his head slowly, dismissively, to what was said. “Yeah yeah.. but hear Ora out, ay?” He had his hands up now, palms out as his good eye wandered the few that hung around him, trying to win them with his words, “C'mon, Ora can't be tha only one thinkin' it.” He then turn his good eye on the man across from him, pinning him in place as he sat up a bit straighter, more confident as he laid out his accusation, offering a tip of his head to the bones as he spoke, hands in his lap, “There be some Hai-born sorcery shyke goin on, Hobb.. what with 'em doin what they're doin!” His claim was a bold one - especially in this city where mages could be killed on sight - and he gesticulated to both the man and bones for effect.
Uneasy laughter mixed with some not-so-amiable debate and argument once more rose from the group as the lankier of the two players reached forward to swipe up the bits of bone again, uttering a low warning in the process, “Now now, boy, yer gon' have the mob after me head with that there chat.”
Ora grinned around his chuckle, head shaking as he countered in equal measure, “Ya won' be missed, Hobb.” The group voiced their agreement upon hoots and sniggers. No doubt they had been swindled out of a fair few precious mizas by the man in the past.
Hobb shook his head incredulously, tsking before adjusting how he sat. The slight tension that had risen from the statement had dissipated and the knobbled old dock worker could help but finally flash a grin before offering, “Shall we have another go? Ya willing to part with another two silvers, boy?” He gave a wink, just to further bait the boy, and watched with a smugly satisfied look as Ora nodded.
“Aye, 'nother 2 silver then.” In the end, Ora was a stubborn shyke and he couldn't help play in to another go in hopes his luck might turn around.
Hobb grinned wider as he gave the bones in his gnarled and twisted hand a shake. “Good,” he added and tossed the bones with a flick and twist of his wrist, sending them skittering across the barrel-top the pair were using as a playing surface, grin broadening. 6-4-4-4.
Ora snorted and snatched the pieces up, giving them a small shake and blow, willing for something, anything, higher than that toss. Surely he was due to win this pass after losing the last three. Surely. With that in mind, a backhand flick followed and he sent them tumbling upon the wooden surface, cursing loudly once he saw how they fell. 6-1-1-1. His curse melted into a drawn-out groan as he clutched his shaking head, fingers flexing into his short cropped hair.
“Bloody hai.. ” he spat, derision replacing the amiable air his words had held earlier, “petch this shyke.”
Hobbs only gave another toothy grin and a wink. “Aye, you agreed to play, boy. I didn't force your hand.” Noting the furrowing of the younger man's brow, he felt like pushing it, adding cheekily “Ya wanna go another round, One-Eye? I could use some more silver.. bring me up to a nice shiny gold piece, it would.”
The words ground on Ora, the banter from the onlookers – made at his expense – only compounding his frustrations at being out as many silvers as he was.
However, the exchange was short-lived as Harry 'The Leg' hollered out, his distinct waddle bringing him slowly around the corner and up and onto his pier, “Ay, ya lollygaggers, time to do some work! That Saique ain't gonna disappear on 'er own now innit?”
That was all that was needed for the lingering collection of men – a right mix of dockworkers on Harry's payroll and Daggers - to stand attention, the pair playing at bones merely exchanging a knowing glance before Ora finally shifted to grab the mizas he owed, his movements and expression greatly exaggerated as if the act physically pained him. He begrudgingly set the mizas on the board between them, his compatriot swiftly catching them up into his knobbly hand, giving the Dagger a mocking bob of his head, “Pleasure, One-Eye. Remember to find me next time you wanna throw some mizas away on yer bones.”
Ora sneered, all remnants of the merrymaking from earlier dashed once those mizas left his person and he hastily collected his bones. He rose sluggishly, rolling his broad shoulders back and tilting his head one way then another before he finally cast his gaze to where the shadowy figure of the Sea Mare rose and fell gently with the dark, undulating waters of the bay. The owner had been oblivious of the trappings that came with the use of this particular pier, succumbing to Harry's wily ways and would find himself a whole Saique lighter come morning.. not to mention short of all her contents.
Orders received, the men did not take long to set to task, the thirteen odd crew focused on making quick work of removing anything and everything portable despite the darkness.
Ora joined in but paused once he had boarded, waiting for his eye to adjust to the inky blackness of the night after sitting so long in front of the lantern. He had no intention of rushing, especially since this pause allowed him to get his legs set under him, thighs tensing as he adapted to the sway of the vessel which proved to be no easy task as men brushed and pushed past him. Shooting a surly look at each of their backs as they passed, he eventually made his way down into the cargo hold to assist in emptying it.
It was dark as pitch within the belly of the craft and Ora found himself sticking his hands out in hopes of being able to navigate around his surroundings without running into – or falling over – anything. Moving at a cautious, shuffling snail's pace, he steered himself off to one side, only satisfied with moving forward once his fingers brushed against the convex curve of the hull. Steady, he reminded himself before he moved further within until he knocked into something solid. He pawed at it to try and deduce what it was, the pads of his fingers grazing over the rough tops of wooden staves, following them to note the cylindrical shape. A barrel? His fingers sank lower, passing over a cool band of metal which all but confirmed his suspicions.
Satisfied in his knowledge of what the object before him was, he bent his knees and wrapped his arms around it, settling into a squat as he prepared himself for the lift. His legs, back and arms strained against the weight as he hefted it up and against his chest, bear hugging it as he gritted his teeth and slowly pivoted around to haul it back the way he came. No doubt if there was one then there would be many more to follow and Ora was careful as he picked his way back up to the top of the deck.
This rumble rose suddenly.
“Ah Hai, ya petching cheat!” Ora crowed over the din, pointing accusatorially at the bones that had landed in a 6-6-4-3 configuration, effectively beating his previous toss of 6-6-1-1.
The old, gnarled figure that sat across from him only chuckled low, grinning ear to ear as he settled his fists on his thighs, “Oh, aye? Cheating, uh?” - his brows rose as if to add emphasis - “How in Hai am I meant ta be cheatin' when they're your bloody bones, boy!” A cacophony of laughter, jeers and cheers rose from the small group centred around the game being played, the sound echoing off the planks and boards of the sagging structures in their vicinity. The other men in the area sent curious looks their way.
Ora merely grimaced, trying to hide his own grin as he pursed his lips and shook his head slowly, dismissively, to what was said. “Yeah yeah.. but hear Ora out, ay?” He had his hands up now, palms out as his good eye wandered the few that hung around him, trying to win them with his words, “C'mon, Ora can't be tha only one thinkin' it.” He then turn his good eye on the man across from him, pinning him in place as he sat up a bit straighter, more confident as he laid out his accusation, offering a tip of his head to the bones as he spoke, hands in his lap, “There be some Hai-born sorcery shyke goin on, Hobb.. what with 'em doin what they're doin!” His claim was a bold one - especially in this city where mages could be killed on sight - and he gesticulated to both the man and bones for effect.
Uneasy laughter mixed with some not-so-amiable debate and argument once more rose from the group as the lankier of the two players reached forward to swipe up the bits of bone again, uttering a low warning in the process, “Now now, boy, yer gon' have the mob after me head with that there chat.”
Ora grinned around his chuckle, head shaking as he countered in equal measure, “Ya won' be missed, Hobb.” The group voiced their agreement upon hoots and sniggers. No doubt they had been swindled out of a fair few precious mizas by the man in the past.
Hobb shook his head incredulously, tsking before adjusting how he sat. The slight tension that had risen from the statement had dissipated and the knobbled old dock worker could help but finally flash a grin before offering, “Shall we have another go? Ya willing to part with another two silvers, boy?” He gave a wink, just to further bait the boy, and watched with a smugly satisfied look as Ora nodded.
“Aye, 'nother 2 silver then.” In the end, Ora was a stubborn shyke and he couldn't help play in to another go in hopes his luck might turn around.
Hobb grinned wider as he gave the bones in his gnarled and twisted hand a shake. “Good,” he added and tossed the bones with a flick and twist of his wrist, sending them skittering across the barrel-top the pair were using as a playing surface, grin broadening. 6-4-4-4.
Ora snorted and snatched the pieces up, giving them a small shake and blow, willing for something, anything, higher than that toss. Surely he was due to win this pass after losing the last three. Surely. With that in mind, a backhand flick followed and he sent them tumbling upon the wooden surface, cursing loudly once he saw how they fell. 6-1-1-1. His curse melted into a drawn-out groan as he clutched his shaking head, fingers flexing into his short cropped hair.
“Bloody hai.. ” he spat, derision replacing the amiable air his words had held earlier, “petch this shyke.”
Hobbs only gave another toothy grin and a wink. “Aye, you agreed to play, boy. I didn't force your hand.” Noting the furrowing of the younger man's brow, he felt like pushing it, adding cheekily “Ya wanna go another round, One-Eye? I could use some more silver.. bring me up to a nice shiny gold piece, it would.”
The words ground on Ora, the banter from the onlookers – made at his expense – only compounding his frustrations at being out as many silvers as he was.
However, the exchange was short-lived as Harry 'The Leg' hollered out, his distinct waddle bringing him slowly around the corner and up and onto his pier, “Ay, ya lollygaggers, time to do some work! That Saique ain't gonna disappear on 'er own now innit?”
That was all that was needed for the lingering collection of men – a right mix of dockworkers on Harry's payroll and Daggers - to stand attention, the pair playing at bones merely exchanging a knowing glance before Ora finally shifted to grab the mizas he owed, his movements and expression greatly exaggerated as if the act physically pained him. He begrudgingly set the mizas on the board between them, his compatriot swiftly catching them up into his knobbly hand, giving the Dagger a mocking bob of his head, “Pleasure, One-Eye. Remember to find me next time you wanna throw some mizas away on yer bones.”
Ora sneered, all remnants of the merrymaking from earlier dashed once those mizas left his person and he hastily collected his bones. He rose sluggishly, rolling his broad shoulders back and tilting his head one way then another before he finally cast his gaze to where the shadowy figure of the Sea Mare rose and fell gently with the dark, undulating waters of the bay. The owner had been oblivious of the trappings that came with the use of this particular pier, succumbing to Harry's wily ways and would find himself a whole Saique lighter come morning.. not to mention short of all her contents.
Orders received, the men did not take long to set to task, the thirteen odd crew focused on making quick work of removing anything and everything portable despite the darkness.
Ora joined in but paused once he had boarded, waiting for his eye to adjust to the inky blackness of the night after sitting so long in front of the lantern. He had no intention of rushing, especially since this pause allowed him to get his legs set under him, thighs tensing as he adapted to the sway of the vessel which proved to be no easy task as men brushed and pushed past him. Shooting a surly look at each of their backs as they passed, he eventually made his way down into the cargo hold to assist in emptying it.
It was dark as pitch within the belly of the craft and Ora found himself sticking his hands out in hopes of being able to navigate around his surroundings without running into – or falling over – anything. Moving at a cautious, shuffling snail's pace, he steered himself off to one side, only satisfied with moving forward once his fingers brushed against the convex curve of the hull. Steady, he reminded himself before he moved further within until he knocked into something solid. He pawed at it to try and deduce what it was, the pads of his fingers grazing over the rough tops of wooden staves, following them to note the cylindrical shape. A barrel? His fingers sank lower, passing over a cool band of metal which all but confirmed his suspicions.
Satisfied in his knowledge of what the object before him was, he bent his knees and wrapped his arms around it, settling into a squat as he prepared himself for the lift. His legs, back and arms strained against the weight as he hefted it up and against his chest, bear hugging it as he gritted his teeth and slowly pivoted around to haul it back the way he came. No doubt if there was one then there would be many more to follow and Ora was careful as he picked his way back up to the top of the deck.
ledger-8sm to Yren Hobbs (gambling, bones)
word count: 1455
