Vilpamolan.

There were other places in the world Sebastian would much prefer not to be…such as dark Kurayo. The mere notion brought his hand unconsciously to his neck as he walked with Nura, his current client whom he had met in Adeluna. Though subtly wild in nature, she seemed the sensible sort at heart. At least to a degree. Enough to possibly be concerned about where his loyalties lay with the many folk here that immediately recognized him. This was exactly why he detested the place. It was difficult to scrounge honest work, and it tended to scare off any worthwhile clients. Sebastian was the first to speak, as he felt the need to assuage any doubts Nura might have.

"As you probably may have already surmised, I maintain a variety of connections," he explained, trying in tone to not sound defensive of the matter. He paused, both in thought, and physically. The salty winds wafting in from the docks, combined with the multi-aroma markets gave him the constant sensation of almost needing to sneeze.
Why was he trying to justify himself in any way…honestly? Nura was a client. She had hired him even after witnessing how he badgered his previous caller, whom he had loathed. Faith in each other was important, he supposed. They had yet to go through any trials together, but what she hoped to accomplish posed very real danger to them both. Despite Sebastian's explanation in the beginning that he was not some crusading mercenary, Nura still subtly seemed to feel as much. Then again, he could have just refused the job…

Sebastian lead their way to the docks, hoping that Whitley would be there. If anyone would have any information that would help, it was him. His appearance very much matched his occupation in life. He was a bottom-feeder. A rat. He made himself involved in many different operations around Vilpamolan and abroad, but information was his main gig. It was sold to the highest bidder, or to whomever knowing it would benefit him the most.
Whitley had seen the pair before Bash had spotted him. He always had a small mirror with him. As rodent-like and sniveling as he was, he was a vain little cuss. He was currently overseeing the unloading of some cargo from an unnamed skiff.

"Ahhh, the Logos himself is it?" Whitley exclaimed, using one of Sebastian's lesser-known handles. "A man of words coming to meself at a time like this…and a bawdy exotic lass in tail. Methinks you're after the Ghost Ship that's been all the talk lately."
Whitley chortled to himself pridefully as Sebastian stopped himself, lips parted to speak.
"See? Whitley knows," the little man jabbed, adjusting the kerchief about his balding head as he tisked. "Always after books, but always getting himself deep, head-first into the weird, this one," he mused, glancing at Nura. "Bash should know by now, all it takes are right words to invoke the strangest the world has to offer."

"Get to the point, Whitley," Sebastian chided impatiently. "Name your price. That is, if you actually do know anything about our query."

The man seemed genuinely taken aback that Sebastian would doubt his knowledge for even a second. His tone snapped immediately from condescending to bitter. "I know exactly what you need to find it…and her," Whitley baited mysteriously. "This one you get for free, out of…morbid curiosity."

"You talk of this her as if we know each other," Sebastian observed.

"Know? No, no…" Whitley hushed as he hurriedly drew out a slip of parchment and length of coal to sketch on it. "I do know that you know…this."
Sebastian's features softened, and then his brow furrowed deeply. The glyph that Whitley had drawn was the same exact rune that had been etched all around his desecrated childhood home. Whitley was privy to Runcible Grove only because he had been there before, and had visited the site of the inferno that had erased it.

"Just…what are you getting at?" Sebastian questioned, trying to steady his shaking.

Whitley's brow was equally furrowed, in frustration. "I know not its meaning. Also don't know the name of the witch that wields it, or if she was involved with that Grove incident. She looked young. Aye, but I do know she's discovered the secret magick of a pirate lord of legend."

"So there are no ghosts," Sebastian breathed with some relief.

"Well…no…but you, of all people should stay away all the same," Whitley stated rather grimly and shivered. "She has a way with the mind, she does. I felt it just with her eyes on me. If you really want to find the ship, I'd say all you have to do is reach out with that glyph in mind."

It was a rare thing to see Whitley visibly haunted by anything abhorrent he had ever witnessed. Still, Sebastian was not deterred. If anything, his interest burned with a renewed intensity. "Thank you, Whitley. That helps immeasurably. Why share this for free then, if you don't want me investigating?" Sebastian asked as he reached out to shake his hand.

"I'm sorry…I can't say any more!" Whitley shouted out rather suddenly and violently.

Sebastian blinked a few times in pause, and placed a few silver into Whitley's hand all the same. "Uhm….very well. We shall take our leave then…"
He gently guided Nura by the shoulder and strode back the way they came.


"Run, Logos, run!" Whitley called out after him.

~~~


It did not take long for Sebastian to mull over the information that he had learned. Well before they reached the nearest tavern, he stopped and turned to Nura. "I have enough to pay for a small boat. The sea is calm. All I need to be found adrift is some time."
Immediately realizing how manic he sounded, and how risky what he proposed was, he shook his head and touched her arm.
"I'm…not sure if I can protect you. I can hide myself easily enough though, once aboard."
He had no doubt Nura would want to come as well, but he could at least attempt to persuade her otherwise.