The day broke and Sanria found herself making preparations. It didn't need to be seen whether Remus had left. It appeared from the very way he spoke he was a man of his word. So, she had packed several robes (none that would aid against the cold, for, like her daughter, preparation was not the strongest of her suits), and sat at her table drawing up maps and hits of food. She was so engrossed in her worthless activity that she failed to hear Tarran before the boy spoke - and that nearly sent her leaping from her skin.
Sanria was accustomed to her son simply coming and going as he pleased. She thought of him more and more like a tom cat - wandering at will, staying where the staying was good, and always returning home with the intention of filling up the rest of his stomach when the canary wasn't enough. This, however, was different. Tarran still spoke with his step-father on occassion, and it didn't sit well with Sanria to have him know about Throm, yet. Still, it didn't take much for Tarran's questions to bring out the truth about her trip - nor to prove to her son as she left the house forgetting all her notes - that she was very ill prepared.
The night she spoke with Remus she had sent out a call to her gnome crew. As she stepped onto the ship, they were already present - calibrating the engines, fueling, and making ready for the short, sub-ether jump to Torregiano. She stepped aboard, greeting the first mate with a clap on his tiny shoulder. "Are we all set to go, Skive?"
"Indeed. I'll call all to positions and you can give the orders."
Skive pulled out a step-ladder as Sanria took her seat in the Captain's chair. He pulled down an instrument that looked like a cone attached to a tube. "All hands to stations - prepare for sub-ether jump."
"Thank you, Skive," Sanria said as she checked over the console. All gauges were within appropriate limits and she flipped the switches on her chair to begin warming up the engines. "Calibrations."
"Calibrations?" Skive called into the cone.
"Point zero seven one. Within limits. Ready," returned the tinny voice.
"Alright, places for teleport to Torregiano."
"Places!"
Skive had only enough time to seat himself before Sanria placed the coordinates and sent the ship into a burst of white light. In a matter of seconds, the ship sat at the Torregiano beacon. Sanria piloted the ship down to the tarmack and worried about the heavy traffic and the "NO PARKING" signs. She drove the ship to the south-west tower. Several of the gnome crew lept out to secure the ship as did Sanria, though more for breakfast than anything.
Once she had eaten, she returned to the ship to wait for Remus. She had heard nothing from him yet, but to contact him through the crystal might have proved bad for him. Attempting to get hidden armor might be a sight more difficult with a noisy crystal requesting your location.
So the day passed and Sanria took her evening meal with the crew in the galley. She had a deep respect for the gnomes - though they all looked like children playing dress-up - they were brilliant and fearless. Skive saluted briefly as she left the galley and went to her quarters. Perhaps tomorrow she would again go into the city and buy supplies. Thus the night passed into the dawn of the next day.
"Captain."
Sanria rose from her bed, her body sluggish, her eyes full of sleep. "Yes? Enter."
Tedge, one of the hands, walked into the room. His voice was small and high-pitched, but he still managed an air of serious urgency. "First Mate Skive, he's having it out with the dock workers. We weren't s'posed to be overnight."
"Thank you, I'm on my way."
It was a sight, a being barely three feet tall toe-to-toe with a man nearly seven. The worker was very skinny, with a blaze of red hair and a moustache to match. He spoke rapidly and with the irritated manner of one who has seen the rules broken before.
"I don't care what you meant to do. This is temporary parking only and you will have to pay up."
"Maybe if you had a sign bigger than me saying that, we'd pay."
"Look bud, you're lucky I don't punt you offa here."
"Punt me? You giant ogre. You smell like piss from down here. I don't care how much you threaten-"
"Skive, I heard we have a problem."
"Aye, Captain."
"Captain?" the dock hand chimed incredulously. "You pilot of this vessel?"
"Captain, yes," Sanria corrected.
"Whatever. Look. There's the sign. That's a 200 platinum offence. Plus interest with your lap dog yappin' at me. You don't fork over 250, you're getting towed."
"You swine..." Skive growled.
"It's alright. We broke the rules." Sanria turned her attention to the tall man.
"What say you 225? That way, I don't have to mention to anyone about corruption up here."
"230."
"Fair enough." Sanria pulled out a slip of paper, writing the figure onto it. "You can lock the ship to the dock until I return. I don't carry that much on me."
"I'll just keep my eyes open," the man muttered, taking the slip of paper.
"Skive, I'm off to breakfast."
"Aye."
"Watch the ship."
Sanria walked the gangplank, turning her back on the nodding gnome who appeared unfinished with the giant redhead. It wasn't far to the Sunflower Cafe, and Sanria was excited to again enjoy their breakfast special.
Her order arrived and eagerly she ate. She had almost finished when a face appeared that nearly made her drop her fork. She couldn't get the waiter's attention quick enough, nor could she turn away fast enough. Her stomach was knotted immediately, and it froze as soon as she heard the words, "Hello, Sanria."
Steeling herself, she turned back around and looked up into Thasmudyan's face. Of all the times he could have chosen to appear - it had to be when she was - again - in doubt. With a slight nod, she answered simply: "Hello."
