[Jericho]

Continued from Anchors Aweigh!

Jericho did not mind bustle but he disliked the dockyards. Filthy sailors spitting and cursing up one side of the wharf and down the other like they only had so many words in their vocabulary. “Disgusting.”

“What is?” Nin glanced back at him from where he was arrowing through a small crowd of family members waving to a ship just departing. Jericho shook his head, disinclined to elaborate, and the Therian went back to elbowing aside the people in his way.

“You think he'll have any squid today? I can't decide if I like it or if it just feels squiggly going down your throat.” Rusty's orange beard was bushier than usual today, as if he had spent the morning grooming it out from his face. He might even have a nest of chicks in there.

“I hope so,” Jericho mused, forced to raise his voice above the noise of crates and barrels being dumped dockside and rolled up gangplanks. “That is why I came all this way.”

“Yeah.” A moment passed, and then Rusty continued as if Jericho had never spoken. “I hope they have squid. I think I like squid.”

[Faris]

Spotting his target was the easy part; the Darcovari stood a good half a head taller than the people around him, his bespectacled head sticking out like a dark beacon. The difficulty was having to navigate through the crowd, which as always was behaving in a manner that resembled a dynamic obstacle course. Unlike the businessman he was attempting to reach, Faris did not have the luxury of a bodyguard to help clear his path. Nor did he wish to step on the toes of others (both figuratively and literally) despite his haste; thus it took him a good few minutes to catch up to his target.

When he was finally close enough, Faris called out loudly to the Darcovarian businessman. "What brings you to Espur, Mister Jericho? I have been keeping my end of our deals well, so...a new contract?" He waved to the two Therian beside him as well, recognising them both as Mortimer Jericho's Enforcers. If memory served him right, the slender-looking one had a fondness for orchid squid. As did Mister Jericho, but the Darcovarian was less easily swayed by the promise of squid. The man was shrewd businessman, if not much else.

[Jericho]

No matter where he went, Jericho kept an eye out for familiar faces, an ear out for tidbits of useful information, and a brain out for potentially useful thoughts. It was exhausting, and in a crowd like this he turned the latter off and didn't dare hope to hear anything at all, but it had provided several opportunities he wouldn't have gained otherwise.

As a result, the voice, thick with a Zanaryan accent that cut through the noise, was no surprise. Faris ibn Alsyad was a contact most often found on the fishing wharf rather than the wet docks, so Jericho eyed him with some curiosity. “Ahhh, Azat Faris.” Nin inclined his head and Rusty grinned behind his bushy beard. “I'm looking for Hooch. I was told he hauled in quite the catch this month, but the fellows on the fishing wharf said he was over here at the wet docks for some business.”

“Orchid squid,” Rusty proclaimed, his chest puffing out like he was responsible for the catch himself, and as if that was the most important part of Jericho's explanation. “I like squid.”

“Yeah, big guy, we know.” Nin quirked an eyebrow and curled his fingernails into his palms, but his voice was gentle -- which was more patience than Jericho could have shown if he responded just then.

“And yourself?” He gestured with his chin at the pier the Zanaryan had apparently come from. “Have you been on a trip?”

Jostled by a trio of burly sailors, Ninian grunted. “Jericho, we should move.” He didn't wait for agreement, simply moved forward and expected his boss to follow.

Since that was kind of what Jericho paid him for, he didn't argue. Instead, he gestured for Faris to accompany them as they moved across the pier toward the eastern row of wharves where Hooch was supposed to be, and asked, “Would you like to come with us, Mister Faris?” It was awkward calling a Zanaryan that. "Mister" did not suit them at all, but there was simply no Elysian equivalent and he refused to call the man "Sir" or "Lord". “I'm sure Hooch has enough for the both of us.” He would make sure of it, even if it meant scaring off other customers -- and if that didn't work, he could easily have Ninian or Rusty remind the human of his debt.

[Faris]

Ah, so it was the bushy-bearded one who liked squid. Faris fell into step with the trio. With the Darcovarian businessman's bodyguards clearing the way, Faris could actually face the person he was speaking to. Conversing while moving around in the habour could prove to be a challenge otherwise; an ill-repaired flaw in the wooden boards they walked on could trip him, or worse, a wooden plank could very well come and smack him right in face if he was distracted. And then have his pockets picked while still gathering his senses.

"The captain of the Sexy Vixen dismissed me 2 days early, but at Marport instead of Espur." He shrugged, wings rustling a little. "Still I managed to find my way back. And I come back to an unexpected meal of orchid squids awaiting! Just lovely. Though not so lovely for Hooch. Did he miss a shipment or payment?" It was a rare sight; Jericho willingly stepping into an area like the wet docks or fishing wharf. Or maybe the cleanliness and smell of his attire matters less to him now. Faris was on always on his guard around the Darcovarian, even if he was pleasant to converse with. Jericho may very well be a law-abiding citizen with nary a mark on his criminal record but he like, all other successful businessmen, was not above pulling strings and relying on emotional blackmail. Faris kept a very clear account of their interactions, from business deals to any meals they treated each other to.

[Jericho]

“Well, that was nice of them, no?” Jericho's left eyebrow twitched in some vague nod to irony or humour. “I expect you made use of the trip back, though.” Faris was intelligent enough. He wouldn't waste the opportunity to put out feelers for a new ship. “Hooch, no. He's doing well. His brother, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that I have it on good authority that Little Hooch was boasting on the Marybeth that he had borrowed a large sum with no intentions of paying it back. I expect he's halfway across Dardanos by now so the loan defaults to Hooch.” He would get his money one way or another, and since the fisherman was already indebted to Jericho anyway, he was happy to collect two repayments in one go.

“There he is, bo--” Ninian huffed mid-word. He had barely pointed out the barrel-shaped Dracovarian when Hooch spotted them. “He's a runner. He's gonna run. He's running.” The wiry Therian immediately took off after him. No wonder Hooch hadn't been in his usual spot if he was planning on reneging on his payments.

Ordinarily, Jericho would have followed at a more sedate pace and allowed Rusty to chase after Hooch as well, but he didn't feel comfortable in this crowd. When the redhead hovered, torn between following Nin and staying behind with his boss, Jericho patted a beefy arm. “Ninian can handle him.” In other words: Stay with me.

Stepping over to the open crates where Hooch had been hawking his catch, Jericho toed aside an empty hemp bag and wrinkled his nose. “Azat Faris, would you care to choose first? I'll deduct the cost from what Hooch owes me.”

[Faris]

"For a man of his size he's pretty nimble." Faris watched the Darcovarian and his pursuer till they turned around a corner and went out of sight, then turned his attention to the contents of Hooch's crates. Orchid squids that were slightly longer than his palm were sprawled carelessly within, their brightly-coloured shells creating a garish interpretation of sunset framed by the wooden confines.

As he took his pick, Faris started mused out loud. "Since you so kindly offered I shall not stand on ceremony;" He selected two squids, pleased to note that their disproportionately sized eyes were without cloudiness as they stared back at him. Holding both cephalopods in one hand, he asked, "While we're on the topic of seafood, is there anything you would like from Ao Sea? I'm heading out in a few days' time."

Normally Faris would not give out such an open-ended offer; they tended to obligate him into completing troublesome tasks. But he had fairly good business relationship with Jericho, and was confident that he would get suitable payment for whatever the Darcovarian businessman requested. Though the Elysian was unlikely to ask for his usual request for squid this time around. Hooch's haul was indeed good while judging by how fast he had ran, his brother's ledger was dyed quite deeply in red. Still, there was plenty more things out in the dangerous Ao Sea which Jerciho could want supplied.

[Jericho]

Jericho's lips twitched in some semblance of a smile. “Now that you mention it.” Once Faris stepped aside, he plucked out five well-sized squid, checking them one by one in the same manner and handing them off to Rusty.

The Therian's eyes grew wider and wider, part excitement and part concern. “I like squid. Uh, how will we eat this lot before they go bad?”

Jericho patted his arm again as the redhead stuffed the squid into the empty sack. “I'm quite sure we can manage.” It wasn't greed or even because he really liked orchid squid too (he did), but a punishment for Hooch's running.

To Faris he said, “If you happen to reach the arctic, I have a client who would quite enjoy a walrus tusk or two.” Fishing boats rarely made it out that far, for various reasons, but it never hurt to ask and the Zanaryan usually coughed up what was promised. “And another who likes kraken if you should find a carcass. Of course, I don't expect you to go after a live one.” He made a noise that might have been a chuckle. He liked kraken, too, so the more Faris brought back the better.

In the distance came a shout followed by an animalistic snarl. Jericho perched on the harbour wall beside the stack of crates containing the rest of Hooch's catch to wait, and studied his fingernails. “Actually, Azat Faris, there are some things I do need. Supplies that have to be restocked. The usual things, mostly,” he added dismissively with a glance at the Zanaryan, “but water elementals and snark skins are the most urgent.” If Faris came back with even one of those items, he would consider this a successful transaction.

[Faris]

Faris leaned agains the wall as he waited alongside Jerichgo; he needed a change of clothes anyway. What the businessman had rattled off was quite the list, but Faris was certain he would be able to get more than half of what the darcovarian asked for; he was going to be out in the open oceans for close to a whole month after all.

"I will try to get what I can; you can expect many a jar of water elements if nothing else. The walrus tusk on the other hand isn't going to be possible though. By the time we reach far enough North it'd be winter; the captain of the Drowned Crests will want to stay in warmer waters. You know how it is with old men's knees and the cold."

Curious to see what exactly the Darcovarian did to those who tried to run from debts, Faris asked, "Would you like to have some tea at my place after you've finished your business with Hooch? Mine is a humble abode, but I do have sundrop tea to offer. Zanaryan sundrop tea." The emphasis was important; Faris found the more common (and cheaper) Dardanos sundrop very unsatisfactory in taste.

[Jericho]

Jericho made a non-committal noise in the back of his throat that was probably disappointment. “Well, that is why they are so rare, after all.” He wasn't surprised Faris thought his captain would prefer not to go looking for tusks, and at least the Zanaryan wasn't making promises he couldn't keep. “I have to wonder what sense of humour your captain has naming his ship the 'drowned' anything, though.” He never had understood sailor superstitions, but surely that would jinx them before they even left the harbour?

Ninian came into view with a shame-faced Hooch dragged behind him. He had the 'Varian by the collar -- no mean feat considering the Therian was easily outsized. “Rusty, if you please.” Dumping the bag containing the squid, Rusty loped toward the pair and took up a position on Hooch's other side to ensure the man didn't try to escape. Apparently, he had good timing: he blocked the 'Varian just as he stepped away from Ninian's grasp and patted the fisherman's shoulder with a friendly smile.

“Ah, tea. I haven't had sundrop in an age. I'm not familiar with the difference, though, so I shall be delighted to learn at your hands,” Jericho offered agreeably. Faris had stressed the importance of it being Zanaryan tea, but that meant little to Jericho. They could be a picky lot and nothing Elysian was good enough for them. He had learned as much during his recent attempts to source a trade run through the portal -- and he'd thought dragons were hard to please.

“Mister Jericho, I... I'm sorry.”

“Ah, now, Hooch. Just where did you think you could run, hm?”

“I... Please. You know I'm good for my own payments. I wouldn't have run for that. But my brother's as well is a bit, a bit!”

“A bit much, I know.” Jericho noticed a scuff mark on the toe of his shoes and polished it against the back of his calf. “I run a business, Hooch. You and your brother knew that when I agreed to loan you the money in the first place. How am I to continue lending money to those in need if people like your brother steal from me? It is theft, Hooch. You know that, right?”

Hooch hung his head. “Y... Yes, Mister Jericho. I'm sorry.”

“Well, I suppose I could just report the theft and put up a wanted poster, but that costs money too, you see, and I have to recover my losses somehow.”

“No! Please, don't do that, he's not a bad person. Really.”

“I'm afraid that doesn't matter in this sort of situation, Hooch. I need that money back, but if you can't pay off his loan then I'll have to recover it some other way.”

“Y... Yes. I could... maybe... pay the extra too if you could see your way to lo-lowering the amount a little.”

Jericho looked at Faris, then back to Hooch and pretended to consider. “Well, you realise I would have to increase the interest, don't you?”

Hooch opened his mouth to protest, then pulled back and nodded. “Yes.”

“Then, that's fine with me. However, Hooch, if you try to run again, I'm afraid I really will have to involve the guards.” He wouldn't because that would draw too much attention to his own business dealings, but the fisherman didn't need to know that. He would post wanted ads, however, and go to the rest of Hooch's family to take payment however he could.

“Yes, Mister Jericho.”

Jericho stood. Ninian released the 'Varian and Rusty collected the hemp sack. “Very well, then. Ah, and we're taking a few of your squid, Hooch. Consider it payment for Ninian here having to chase you.”

“Yes, Mister Jericho.”

“After you, Azat Faris.”

[Faris]

Faris looked on with interest as the human cowered before Mister Jericho's words, wondering if it were possible for him to do the same to others. The ability to make others cave in with just words would be a good skill to have. Granted, Hooch did get chased down and dragged back by the Darcovarian's bodyguard, so it was more than just words that were making him so cooperative. With next to no resistance from Hooch, an agreement was reached quickly, and Faris found himself being spoken to. Giving a nod of acknowledgement, Faris pushed himself off the wall, and headed towards his apartment.

Knowing that their destination on the outskirts of Espur, Faris was aware that chatting was needed to help pass time. Except he knew not what to speak of. He had little knowledge of Mister Jericho's other dealings outside those that concerned him, even less of the Darcovarian's background; and Faris liked it that way. Which only left him with two subjects - the very mundane (and inane) topic of how fair or unfair the weather was, and the repulsive topic of state affairs. It was not much of a choice; he would have set aside his distaste for politics.

Like most Zanaryans, true Zanaryans, Faris grew up surrounded by intrigue and learned about the matters of state and power early in life. If pressed to, he could even recite the names of all the Naharar of Zanarya to date, the family they were from, the Lord they had served, as well as their favourite civic. Usually Faris pretended to be the clueless ill-taught idiot of the family however; he did not take kindly to having his brain picked by anyone, even his family.

Faris struck up the conversation once they were out of the danger zone of busy docks. "How fares your business, Mister Jericho? I heard that a few grisly corpses have been found just outside of Hesia. That traders and merchants are now even more wary than before to traverse the unstable Anyeli empire to reach the town. Rumours say that the Anyeli factions grow restless, and that the neutral Hesia is a speck of dust in their eyes which grows ever-annoying with each passing day in which they prosper."

[Jericho]

Ah, bliss. Peace and quiet. Jericho's ears thanked him as they drew away from the sheer volume of noise at the dockyard into the normal bustle of the city streets.

It was almost a shame to cut through the background hum and rattle to talk, but Faris did it anyway. Jericho might have found a way to shut him up if he had been anyone else, but the Zanaryan paid attention to things that might profit him, so he listened.

“Corpses? Dear me. I can't say that I'm surprised, really. I left Hesia myself, just recently.” As an aside, he explained, “I moved to Corantha after acquiring an anka, you see. The thing makes travelling for business so much easier and faster than a river barge. There is also much less chance of being ambushed in the sky.” Rusty grunted his approval. He got such a rush from being on the huge bird's back.

“There was... talk... of a vampire slayer named Calvin Morris being sighted in Hesia.” He didn't admit that Morris was the reason for his leaving, or that the "talk" was his own. “If you're not familiar with the name, he is something of a legend in Elysia. No one really knows who he is. The name seems Therian or human, but there's no way he could be. He was very active during the Scourge Wars so one must assume he is much older than they could possibly get. Were these corpses vampires, do you know?” Faris had said "grisly", so they weren't clean kills. However, the Morris he had known was something of a sadist, so perhaps the victims had suffered first.

“As for the Anyeli. Pah.” Jericho was not impressed and showed his displeasure. He had sold weapons to the Empire at one time, but they were not a reliable clientele. During cease-fires, they turned their noses up at his merchendise and spurned his business advances, but came clamouring back when the war started again. “They have wanted Hesia as long as I remember, and even made a few attempts to bring the town under the wing of their glorious Empire, but they are like children with a floor littered with toys. Give them a new one and they are soon distracted.” In fact, they were reaching a point in their cease-fire again when the Empire was ready to turn its gaze outwards. Hesia ought to be shoring up its defences again, if they knew what was good for them.

“Hmph. In lighter news, did you hear about the temple? It seems that prattling fool, Prydwen, finally found what she was looking for. Or so they claim.” He had his doubts, and he'd actually been there when Dionica was rediscovered—something else he would keep to himself for now. Faris did not need to know that he had come away from such an expedition so much richer. “And the councils of at least three towns have fallen for their nonsense. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Master Shaper in Hesia wasn't murdered by the competition. People can be such fools over religion.”

[Faris]

As to be expected, Mister Jericho was much more familiar with situation. Calvin Morris was a name he had never heard before, but then again he never paid much attention to the urban legends of this world. Faris shrugged his shoulders at the Darcovari's question to indicate that he had no idea as to the victims' race(s). News from Hesia rarely made it all the way to Espur without some form of distortion. Some sources stated that the ones found dead were indeed all vampires while others mantained that they were purely Anyeli, and another said that they were humans. Faris preferred to take the details of anything that came out of the rumour mill with a large spoon of salt.

Mister Jericho's assessment of the great Anyeli Empire was without flaw, and likening them to a child was a stroke of metaphorical genius. That it was said with such an expressionless, stoic face only added to the impact of his statement. Easily distracted children indeed. Faris could understand the animosity the Apali and Skotadi bore towards each other since blood feuds between Houses were not unheard of Zanary. That their leaders let it consume the entire civilisation and become their number one defining trait though, was something quite amusing to an unsympathetic outsider like Faris. As was religious fevour and devotion in general. Faris was a sceptic through and through.

"Whatever helps them get through the day, I suppose. Xanth's all-shining name is probably just a facade leaders use to cloak desires which are decidedly less mundane. Power, status and money; so much less motivating, than divine will and enlightenment. Sounds like righteous too. I'm just glad the fervour has not spread to Espur; Prydwen's new-found clout will not last for long. It is just another claim in a long line of claims, after all."

Then he stopped. A trio of Nagrim walked past in single file through the street he needed to cross to get to his home. The mounts were being led by a person, presumably their owner, and in spite of their size they moved softly. In fact the sounds of the nearby smithy were louder than the hulking beasts. Watching them, Faris mused, "Never thought of getting a Nagrim instead, Mister Jericho?" The Nagrim made good flying mounts, even-tempered and intelligent.

[Jericho]

“I could not agree more, Azat Faris.” This was why he entertained the Zanaryan's small talk: They were of one mind on many subjects, enough that he did not feel like he was talking to an utter moron. Of course, he could discuss the shortcomings of the Empire at large with any Zanaryan, in the end, but too many of his foreign contacts ranted and raved on the topic out of bitterness, relying heavily on rumour and gossip rather than collating facts. It was nice to have a serious, adult discussion or a healthy debate, no matter how many disapproving stares Rusty sent him. In fact, he didn't need to be a telepath to translate the bearded Therian's expression: Shush up, boss, you'll get us assassinated in us sleep!

Ninian was less concerned about being overheard. While Rusty truly was loyal, Ninian guarded and enforced for him only for the money. Jericho had no reason to doubt the slender man's motives—he made doubly sure of that by reading the Therian's mind on a regular basis, unwilling to risk another stabbing in the back—but it was unnerving nonetheless and a reminder that perhaps they ought not discuss the downfall of the Anyeli Empire out in the open.

“I disagree. The Voice lasted for millennia in its first incarnation. They died out as an organisation because they grew hungry for power, but the religion itself never wavered. I must confess to being Xanthian myself, so it doesn't seem out of all realm of possibility that Prydwen's strides will fail entirely. Elysia hungers for guidance, I think.” He didn't particularly care one way or the other if they built temples or shrines or killed in Xanth's name. He believed in her, but he didn't do anything about it, and he didn't think she cared if there were a bunch of Nymphs dancing naked in a forest and singing to her. “A few buildings shouldn't make a difference, but people are idiots.”

The nagrim chain was a timely interruption, preventing a diatribe that may or may not have insulted his would-be host. “Hmm. It would have been worth considering as a personal mount, but I chose the anka because it can carry more.” He liked to dabble in a number of different trade markets and sometimes took cargo as repayment when money was scarce, so the anka had been the more logical choice. “I do confess to some fascination with the creatures, though. They don't really get on well with dragons, so I shouldn't like to buy one, but it's rare to see them in the cities. Ninian, ask the fellow to bring them aside so we can take a closer look.”

The Therian shot him an "are you serious" look over a pointed shoulder but darted off to accost the tamer leading the three nagrim, and Jericho held out an arm to offer Faris first look.

[Faris]

His own face was a watered down version of Ninian's disbelief, Faris moved closer to the winged felines. As Mister Jericho had observed, the Nagrim were a rare sight in cities, being adapted to cold climates and high altitudes. Their size also warranted a large area to keep them in, and space was but one of the many things whose price was inflated in city-areas. As such, these three were likely to be on their way to meet their owners or owners-to-be. Faris refrained from touching the mounts, content to simply gaze at their purple-black forms from such a close distance.

From their eyes Faris could see intelligence and sentience. One of them was even giving their handlers what appeared to be a quizzical and somewhat reproachful stare. "They do seem to be rather opinionated creatures." Which was not a bad thing entirely; clever mounts tended to have a knack for deterring their owners from taking unexpectedly perilous paths. “Fascinating indeed, but alas I have little use for mounts of any kind. Sea vessels would suit me more, I think.”

[Jericho]

“Aye, just a tad,” the nagrims' tamer chuckled, patting the "opinionated" one on the nose. It rolled its eyes at its handler, then shot Faris an indecipherable look. Jericho stretched out a hand to the second in the chain and let it sniff at him. “If you ever change your mind on that, these three are spoken for but we're lucky enough to have a couple of breeders on the farm.” As if afraid of being judged, the ostler was quick to add, “We rescued 'em from poachers when they was young, y'see, and they're such gentle critters already we didn't feel right tossing 'em back in the wild when the pride had already moved on.”

Jericho's lips tightened in vague emulation of a scoff. He was quite sure that if the ostler was not himself the self-same poacher, he had at least seized the opportunity to keep and breed the cubs for profit. He wasn't about to judge the man — he likely would have done the same in his shoes — but he did dislike it so when people lied.

The nagrim's fur was softer than he imagined as he smoothed his hand along the top of the creature's head and ruffled the goatee-style beard. Sensing his uninterest, the handler focused on Faris to invite, “Come up to the Anashora farmstead whenever you like, okay? I have to get these guys moving, though, before someone complains.”

[Faris]

Faris nodded in acknowledgement of the handler's offer. The Nagrim-tamer had a good eye for potential customers. Though he had voiced his own disinterest mere second ago, Faris did indeed lack a method of moving over land that was less time-consuming than just walking. A flying mount would be convenient in this aspect. The Nagrim's intelligence and ability to convey its thoughts nonverbally was a huge plus as well. There were certain considerations holding him back from actually getting one for private use, but the possibility was certainly there.

Stepping back as a signal for the handler to continue on his way, Faris paused a little before turning to Mister Jericho. "Well, now I know where to direct people to should they ever want Nagrims. They seem to have been treated well, regardless of how they got onto the farmstead. Though I'm curious, does Elysia not have any anti-poaching laws in place? Especially concerning a creature supposed crafted by the hand of Xanth." Faris realised that the point was somewhat moot, since a good many creatures on Elysia were said to hail from the experiment-loving creator.

[Jericho]

“Anti-poa—?” For once, Jericho was surprised enough by a question to show as much. He blinked at Faris in mild disbelief. “Perhaps at one time, and I have no doubt that Prydwen and her lot will attempt to sanctify them again now.” He gave a purely mental roll of his eyes, his face once more perfectly blank. “And in the city, certainly there are laws, but he'll of course use the same excuse — that he found them and rescued them — to evade the law. Out there, though?” He jerked his head minutely to indicate the world beyond Espur's boundaries, and then shook it just as marginally. “Pretty much anything goes.”

In fact, Jericho mused, this may prove to be another opportunity, but he would watch the Zanaryan's reaction before broaching the subject. Faris seemed less concerned with the poaching laws themselves than he was about the nagrims' relation to the Creator, though, and that made Jeri wonder if the Marid was Xanthian. He himself believed that their worlds were created by her, but he wasn't so sure she still hung around. Why would she? If Elysians disgusted him, just think how she must feel!

[Faris]

Faris stared back at Mister Jericho as the broke off in a mid-word, taken back by the Dracovarian's reaction. It appeared that ecological balance was not a popular cause to support in Elysia. In his memory Zanarya was much more uptight about ensuring that the diversity in wildlife there remained diverse. In fact this topic had garnered even more attention with the relatively recent allowance for Elysian imports into Zanarya. In one of the letters he had received from home, there was mention that a recent spate of crop failures had been linked to Elysian imports. The cause said to be insect-stowaways on cargo. Faris was certain that those reports had been embellished, since the volume of Elysian products entering Zanarya was still very low.

Nevertheless, a slightly hypersensitive social conscience with regards to the ecology of one's world was much better than neglecting it altogether in exchange for a free-for-all capitalism that seemed to permeate Elysia's commerce. Poachers Faris could understand though, and he nodded empathetically to Mister Jericho's last statement; the inherent danger in free will and freedom in general.

"True. Few, if any, organisations and persons here hold enough sway realm or even country-wide at the moment to enforce such laws outside of the city they were passed. The lawlessness along trade routes is becoming quite appalling in my opinion." Faris frowned just thinking about the matter. Even the seas route between the mainland and Dardanos, despite being protected by both Espur and Marport's navy, was constantly plagued by pirates.

[Jericho]

“Oh, indeed.” Jericho nodded his agreement as they turned out of the busy harbour onto a side street less well-travelled by the carts. The sudden drop in noise made his next words sound deafening to his own ears, and he adjusted the volume while Ninian and Rusty looked to one another surreptitiously. “Of course, the League of Protectors attempts to manage what the towns themselves can't, and there are mercenary groups and would-be heroes all over the place looking for glory in the name of protecting Xanth's paradise, but the realm is simply too big for any one group to even hope to manage. Perhaps one day in the far distant future, they will work together in agreement with global laws to enforce, but I personally doubt that.”

A carriage pulled by four dressed-up taroch rumbled down the wide street they turned onto next, headed for the harbour they had just come from. “In the meantime, it would be a shame to be the only ones not profiting from a market that exists with or without us. Do you not agree, Azat Faris?”

[Faris]

Faris listened quietly to Mister Jericho, and did not reply for some time. His parents would have agreed whole-heartedly, as would Sabri, but he much mellower about such things. In the words of Firuza, he 'lacked ambition'; in his opinion it was more an issue with the lack of passion rather. He never saw the point of amassing power, commanding and directing others was not at all enjoyable. Wealth, accumulated past a certain point, had no allure for him as well; Faris was not some mindless Impiti. In the same vein, Faris never went out of his way to find and exploit laws already in place. Not for himself anyway.

"As someone who had been brought up to handle matters of commerce, I agree with your logic. Certainly it makes more sense than playing vigilante. But shall we speak of such matters in somewhere more private? I know Espur isn't the strictest city and cracking down on dissention isn't top on their priority, but you never know..." Accordingly, Faris picked up pace slightly, his footsteps returning to the brisk pace they usually were when he had somewhere to go.

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OOC: Brain's all mushy lately, so it's a short post >.<