Prose log with Troy

[percivalthegale]

Who: Percival and Troy (i_am_a_pisces)
When: one evening this past week, before the snowfall started
Where: Mamie's cafe
What: Percival makes good on a promise of cooking dinner...EPIC conversation

After making his evening rounds aboard the ship, Troy, dressed casually in a grey sweater, left the ship to his crew and went to shore (something he had not been doing much of lately) and the castle, making his way to Mamie's cafe for a homecooked meal. He wasn't sure if it was the years he had been suffering northern winters and autumns, but the night did not seem as bitter as they previously had. It wasn't even raining! He tucked his gift, a bottle of wine for dinner, under his arm and went in search of Percival.

All he had needed was advance warning, and a member of Troy's crew had brought it, so Percival had blithely knocked off patrol early, gotten out of armor, and gone down to the cafe to start dinner. So few people took him up on the offer, it was a special treat for him to be able to disappear into the kitchen and ply his special magic. It was a great time of year for good cooking, too, with harvest vegetables and plenty of special imports. He kept out of Mamie's way, humming to himself as he whipped up a private dinner.

Knowing better than to go into a busy kitchen, Troy pauses at the doorway, scanning into the back. "Percival?"

Percival whirled in place, holding his hands carefully to keep from getting the sticky mess on his clothing. "What? Oh, Troy! Oh goodness...is it that time already? I haven't been watching the clock..." He gestured helplessly. "Give me a moment?"

"Of course." He curiously cranes his neck to see what Percival is making.

Honey had a tendency to get everywhere, even when one only need a little bit of it for the bread. Percival quickly washed up and found a towel, and came over to the doorway to greet his guest. "Sorry. Just getting a few extras ready. I hope you're a fan of fresh-baked bread."

Troy nodded, looking forward to this gustatory treat. "Of course, I have not met many men who do not. I remember many times I did not have the luxury."

"It's one of my favorite things about cooking," Percival admitted with a cheery smile. "And sharing..." He noticed the bottle of wine, then. "Ahh, is this what I think it is?"

"Most likely," Troy chuckled softly, holding out the bottle for inspection. "It's a mild red, one that will go with most meals. I figured it would be a safe vintage since I did not know what you might be cooking."

"Mm, yes..." Percival took the bottle and checked the label for an idenitfying mark. "I'd have warned you ahead of time, except I wasn't sure what Mamie would have on hand that I could cook with. It should go just fine, though." He nodded his approval. "Perhaps I'll crack it open so we can get started. The bread will be a few minutes, yet."

Troy nodded, leaning against the wall and trying to not be in the way of people going to and fro. "Do you get a chance to cook here often?"

There was a table in the corner already reserved for their use, so Percival fetched a corkscrew from the kitchen and set the bottle there to open it safely. "Not as much as I would like, but only on account of my schedule. Mamie allows me use anytime I want." He wrestled with the cork for a minute. "That, and it's difficult to cook for only one."

"Is it?" Troy watches Percival open the bottle, "It is not often I have tried that."

"What..." The cork came free with a pop, and no wine spilled on Percival's wool shirt. "...cooking?"

"Yes....especially for one."

Percival chuckled slightly as he poured two glasses and set them aside to breathe. "My mother taught me, so I could help her around the house. I've cooked for small parties, for my fellow knights, for dates...so all the recipes I have are for sharing."

"It sounds as if you have had a lot of experience cooking for people." Troy looked at the wine glasses, watching them shine in the evening candlelight. "I never had an opportunity to learn that particular skill."

"Well, what's stopping you from learning now?" Percival held out a hand toward a chair to invite Troy to have a seat while he went to take the bread out of the oven. "Too busy with your ship?"

Taking a seat, Troy frowned, thinking over Percvial's question. "No, not at present. The castle has certainly quieted for the moment." He idly watches his host bustle about, "I suppose there has not been much cause for me to think about it. I would be able to make something servicable if I were starving, but..." He shrugs. "Thankfully, I have not been starving in many months."

Percival chuckled a little to himself in the kitchen while he removed the bread and let it cool enough to serve while he prepared deep bowls of a lamb stew with fresh vegetables that he'd been craving himself. "True, it's hard to think of doing the work yourself when Budehuc is blessed with a fine cook," he responded as he swept back out with dinner for them both. "But I do it for the pleasure, not out of necessity."

"Indeed," Troy couldn't help but look appreciatively at the dishes before him. "Budehuc does seem to be in full stock of people with a myriad of talents."

Upon presenting the hearty meal, Percival sat down across from Troy. "Flattering," he teased, "but wait until you try it before you start lumping me in with the other talented folk here." He placed one of the wineglasses in front of his guest. "We have fresh honey-oat bread, and a very lightly spiced lamb stew."

Troy inhaled deeply, sighing in appreciation. "If this fine meal tastes anything like it smells, you will have my endorsement as a chef."

"Ooh...I'll have to remember that should my career as a knight suddenly take a turn south," Percival laughed, raising his glass to his companion.

Troy smirked, mirroring Percival. "There can never be too many fine cooks." He nodded and took a sip, the wine sliding down his throat in the soothing manner of the lighter reds. "Nor people to eat their food, I believe."

"Very true," Percival smiled, likewise taking a sip to start. "It's why I enjoy cooking for others," he added, taking a knife to the fresh, fragrant bread and offering the first thick slice to Troy. "I chose a sweet bread to balance the types of spices in the stew. I hope you like it."

"I am sure it will be delicious." Troy accepts the bread graciously, nodding his thanks, "Did you get a chance to cook often in the knights?"

"Off and on," Percival replied casually as he took some for himself. "I used to be teased for it as a trainee, apparently most of the blockheads in infantry think it odd for a man to be so good at it."

Troy shrugged as he watched Percival serve. "There are many good chefs that are men....although I have not met one that was a knight such as yourself."

"Perhaps it's that I chose not to become a chef as a career," the knight shrugged, trying not to look eager as he waited for Troy to try out his creation. "It would have probably been less hazardous to my health, that's for sure."

Troy smirked, "Most likely," He tried a piece of bread, savoring the rich texture and flavor. "This is very good....what did you put in it?"

Percival beamed. "There is a little finely-ground oatmeal in with the wheat flour, and some honey. Nothing too overbearing, it isn't dessert after all." The first bite well-received meant he could eat, dipping a little of the crust of his bread in the stew. "I'm glad you approve."

"I doubt anyone could not, this is well made." Troy meant it, Percival was a good cook. He savored some of the soup, mirroring the knight's move and dunking a piece of bread in.

Compliments never ceased to bring a smile to Percival's face. "Thank you. I thought, with the chill and the clouds, I felt like a good, hearty meal tonight. I'm glad you had the time to join me."

Troy nodded, pausing a moment to take a sip of wine. It completemented the meal perfectly, even if he hadn't known what to bring. "It does indeed fit the season." He frowns at the dismal weather outside. "Autumn is not something easy to get used to."

Percival followed his gaze briefly. "The first part of it is not so bad," he acknowledged, "when the trees are so beautiful. It's this dreary November I can never get over. Everything is so dull and lifeless. But," he added, perking up a little, "at least it's not bone-chillingly cold."

The thought of the cold Percival spoke of made Troy frown into his soup. No matter how long he seemed to be in this place, the winters were always painful to his southern soul. "That is very true...although I will admit to the snow being beautiful."

"Especially a first snow." The knight sighed wistfully between bites of his savory stew, picking up his wineglass. "I missed it last winter...I was down south near Tinto until...well, until February, if you remember at all."

"I was unfortunately dealing with a bit of business in Vinay del Zexay that took me most of the winter." He frowns at the memory. "Was there no snow down in Tinto?"

"Not more than a dusting, not as far south as I was." Percival tilted his head as he tried to remember. "It held off until after the holidays, that was the thing. It made for decent travel but did nothing to improve the drab landscape, let me tell you."

"I imagine so. It does seem to compliment the holidays." Troy sipped his wine, enjoying the peace and quiet of a nice meal and companionable company. "Will you be traveling during these upcoming weeks as well?"

"I hope not..." Percival let his eyes wander to the window and back over a sip of wine. "I'm only a day's ride from visiting my mother. It would be unpleasant to be transferred and shipped halfway across the continent at this time of year."

"Indeed." Troy decides to venture into something deeper than surface conversations. "It appears that you may get your wish for a quiet holiday....things have gotten quieter."

Percival's smile did not fade, but it became distinctly more genuine. "It does appear so. Miss Nei said there was still someone poking around, but I haven't even seen any councilors in weeks. I don't want to get my hopes up, but it would be nice...if it were over just like that..."

"I have not seen anyone near my ship or heard of any inquiries being made by any of my sources." Troy frowned, swirling his wine gently in the glass. "It would be nice if things were resolved so easily, but I doubt that is the case." He shrugs. "Perhaps they have taken a holiday for the winter."

"That is as much a possibility as anything," Percival admitted, snatching another slice of bread. "Well, that's good, that you've been left alone. It's one thing to have them questioning my own loyalties, but bothering innocent people about their business...I can't stand that."

"It is always a tragedy when innocents are involved in war, and yet, something that always occurs." Troy pauses, smiling slightly as he picks up his wine glass, taking a delicate sip. "I, however, am hardly innocent, at least in their eyes." He frowns suddenly, "They are still questioning your loyalty?"

Remembering the incident made Percival scowl briefly. "Something to the effect of 'getting too close' to the people here. As if the citizens of Budehuc were my enemy." He shook his head to try to forget it. "Forgive me, Troy, but I don't see how you could be guilty of anything...but then, there is a lot I don't yet know about you." He tilted his head curiously.

"This place is close to your home, and, if I'm not mistaken, filled with former comrades from the last war here. It would be difficult to find them enemies." The tall captain chuckled, "We are all guilty of something, some of us more than most."

"Whatever makes you say you aren't innocent was surely buried two hundred years ago," Percival said slyly, taking up his wineglass. "I only know you from our few meetings, and I find you to be a positively kind and noble fellow."

Troy laughs into his wine glass. "So kind of you to think so." His voice is laced with a little sarcasm, considering that those are two adjectives that have not been applied to his person in quite some years. "Some things transcend time, especially with those from your past here." A pause, "But I do appreciate your sentiment." He tips his glass in a small toast.

Percival smiled modestly. "I speak only the truth as I see it. Considering I never even heard of Kooluk until I met you." He sat forward a little, resting his chin on his hand. "I haven't noticed any of the other Islanders making trouble for you since I've been here. Has it been that bad?"

Troy sighs a little sadly at the remind that history has swallowed up his country as effectively as Scarlet Moon destroyed it and takes another fortifying draught of wine. "They have been surprisingly gracious for the most part, moreso than I ever thought they would be...even Sir Lazlo seems to have forgiven me." He idly wonders what that crusty commander, Glen, from Razril would think of him now.

Percival listened in interest. "I can hardly see how you would have a problem with forgiveness and kindness," he mused, "even if they were enemies once. You seem like a decent man, Troy...not at all like those I once called my enemies, who were still antagonizing when they returned here."

Troy shrugs expressively, fingers settling onto the rim of his glass, touching it gently."It takes time to heal the wounds created by war, I am sure you can attest to that, even if those things were done in the name of a country or cause you believe in." He watches the candlelight dance off the wine glass, the liquid inside, the dull shining reminding him of reflected fire on the sea, ship wrecks and rune cannons, burning. He blinks away the images. "I did what a man bound by duty and love for his country should have done...not out of greed or creulty. There was no reason to continue when I arrived here." He looks up at Percival. "Your adversaries were driven by something other than duty, were they not?"

Percival gazed at him in silence, listening to his mellifluous voice almost hypnotized. He had to blink before answering. "Oh...yes, I dare say. They were gathering True Runes to destroy the world, I'd say that's far from duty." He smiled, then. "I can understand what you mean, though. I have done things I regret in the line of duty, but never out of antagonism. I don't hate the people of the Grasslands...not one bit." Another head-tilt. "That you chose not to continue being anyone's enemy here is a mark of a good man, Troy."

"It is the way of war." Troy smiles slightly, dropping his head in a quick nod of thanks and acknowledgement for the compliment. "Ah yes, you have told me some of that tale. I am glad to see they did not succeed."

"Then, maybe men like us ought to be glad it's a peaceful time," Percival suggested, sitting back. He had finished his dinner and contemplated getting up to fetch dessert. "Though, I am a little curious as to what draws you to stay at Budehuc when you could be living in the islands, or something."

Troy refills Percival's wine glass, giving his own some attention as well as he nods in agreement to his companion's last statement. "Yes, I suppose we should be. Peace is...different." Not that he doesn't like it, it just took some getting used to after being raised to conquer. He makes himself comfortable in his chair, mirroring Percival as he thinks on the question. "I must confess...I am not entirely sure. My crew has connections to this area, but...."

"Oh? I didn't know that." Percival took his refilled glass to him and sipped smoothly. "That would be some small incentive, I guess. Making Budehuc or Vinay your home port and sailing elsewhere for..." His eyebrows knit in question. "You see, I don't even know what you do, now, with your ship. You're a very close man, Troy, you should work on that."

"My crew either died or abandoned the ship in my time, we were sinking...it is really a miracle that she survived to this time." Amused, Troy hide his smile behind his glass. "I should work on it, hm?"

"Ah...and so you had to cull a new crew from the locals. I see." Percival laughed at the coy look. "Yes, you should! You're excellent at asking all the right questions and getting me to talk about myself, but turnabout is fair play."

"I think I have been very forthcoming tonight." Troy rolled his shoulders against the back of the chair, relaxing. "But very well....what do you wish to know?"

"Much moreso than last time." Percival's dark eyes lit up at the offer. "Oh, where to start? Hmm...." He made great show of stroking his chin thoughtfully. "How about...growing up? I gather you had military training like I did, but what of family, and such?"

Troy shifted in his chair, scooting it back from the table slightly so he can stretch out his legs without kicking Percival. "Family?" He frowns, thinking, "There really isn't that much to tell...I was taken in by a middle noble family in Kooluk. They were very kind, and I grew up wanting for nothing. When I was young I learned to sail as all the young people do, and when I was shown to be adept at understanding the sea, my father enlisted me in the military."

Percival sipped at his wine while taking in the story. "So, it wasn't as much your choice, as your father's? What would you have done if you hadn't enlisted?"

"I had never given it much thought...most likely followed the same course. I can't imagine doing anything else." The sea captain shook his head, "It only seemed natural to persue something of the sort, and Kooluk was a country focused on a large military."

The knight grinned teasingly. "No wonder you don't have any hobbies. Unless you do, and are just keeping them to yourself so no one finds out you...hmm, paint, or sing, or something."

Troy casually sips his wine. "I knit."

Percival's jaw dropped. "You don't. Do you?"

Troy laughed, the kind that starts in the stomach and flows up like a sunrise. "No....no I do not."

Blinking, Percival soon joined in the laughter. "You...! I fell for it, completely. Not that it would be such a bad thing if you did...I was just surprised. Really!"

"It would be a handy talent to have in this weather, though."

"Then, I suppose you aren't the origin of the mysterious box of knitting that appeared in the hall this afternoon," Percival mused. "Ah, well. We can't all do interesting things with our spare time, what little we have."

"Mysterious box of knitting?" Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Troy wondered what he missed by living on board his ship now. "I suppose not. Do you have anything to pass the time?"

"Someone made a nice donation, earlier today," Percival explained briefly. "Me? Well, aside from cooking...not too much. I am sociable by nature, though, so I can just as easily stand around and talk with people."

"I see. It will surely be appreciated by the Islanders and more scantily clad Falenans." Troy inclines his head towards the remnants of their meal. "Your cooking is a skill, surely, but the ability to easily converse can also be a skill."

"I've never really thought about it that way," Percival said modestly. "It's more likely I'm simply shirking duty or being a charmer than anything so...grand." He nodded to their mostly-empty plates. "What do you say, is it time for dessert?"

"For anyone involved in politics, or in charge of men, it is good to be able to communicate with everyone." Troy raises his head a little, looking across the table at Percival. "Dessert?"

"Of course," Percival said brightly. "You don't think I would let a meal go unfinished, do you? Though," he added as he set aside his napkin and rose, "I will have to confess up front that I didn't make it. I cheated. I went to Watari and bought it...he does much better with pastries than I."

Troy still finds it odd that the ninja does pastries, but nods anyway. "You have already proved your talents to me," He inclines his head toward the table.

"I'm glad you approve!" Percival ducked into the kitchen briefly, bringing back two plates of pie, still warm. "He was baking an apple-cranberry pie when I stopped by, I couldn't pass it up. It's almost better than my mother's."

Troy couldn't remember the last time he had fresh baked pie. "It must be good...it isn't often someone claims on skills surpassing their mother."

"Shh...don't tell anyone," Percival giggled as he sat back down. "And I did say 'almost.' Mm...being at Budehuc definitely spoils me. I'm liable to grow fat and lazy here if I'm not careful."

"I doubt any of us will have the chance to retire," Troy looked at the pie appreciatevly, cutting it carefully, gently. "At least, at present." He tasted it and sighed, it was truly delicious. He'd have to pay compliments to Watari when he next saw him.

Likewise, Percival started into the pie before continuing their conversation. "Perhaps not, but I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't a knight. I'm quite content, really, I have no complaints." His curious look returned. "So what do you do? I highly doubt it's piracy."

"We transport various cargo, persons who are interested in a ride with us when we go places are often taken on as supplemental income." Troy paused, enjoying a bite of pie, and continued, "This and that." He's being slightly evasive, not wanting to discuss some of his other exploits, like being involved in spying or guarding the castle.

"Ah." It seemed reasonable enough to Percival, who had little idea of what one did on the sea when one wasn't a merchant or pirate. "The sorts of odd jobs that keep the crew fed and the captain well-stocked in rum, then," he smirked.

Troy smiled his small little smile. "Yes."

Percival beamed in amusement as he nibbled on his pie. "You see? That wasn't so hard. Really, I don't mind if you talk about yourself a little."

"Good." Troy said, taking another bite of pie, a little amused that Percival seemed so intent on him being social. "Do you have any siblings?"

"Ah, no. I'm an only child." He shrugged a little. "Sort of rare where I come from, but there were plenty of children my age to play with in the village."

"I see. It must have been a happy childhood."

Percival's face sobered slightly, and his eyes lowered. "Well," he tried to say flippantly, "if you don't count my father's death when I was eight, then perhaps it was."

Troy lowers his head in sympathy, "My apologies. Was he a knight as well?"

"No...just a miller. Well, assistant to the miller - he helped with the harvest and transport." It had been long ago enough that Percival could remain objective about it and not lament. "He was killed by bandits while transporting flour to Vinay del Zexay."

It was easy to envision a young Percival and his mother receiving the terrible news...Troy had delivered such new many times in his tenure in the Kooluk navy to friends and family of his crew that never returned. "I am sorry to hear this, Percival."

The knight shook his head slowly, and mustered a smile. "It was a long time ago, Troy. I'm over thirty now, I can live with it. My former captain's death probably hit me harder, because I was there when it happened." He modestly tried to deflect attention again. "I'm sure you had more than one situation like that, in your life. People close to you...being in the military..."

Troy read Percival's deflection and let the conversation go that way, not want to pry into an uncomfortable memory too much. "Of course," He nods, again picking up his wine glass now that the excellent pie was done. "It is....a sad fact of war."

"One not likely to change, given human nature," Percival agreed, also reaching for his wine. "But then, men of honor and duty like us will simply have to forge on, doing our best to keep the peace." He sighed lightly, gazing into his glass at the red liquid. "You're a good listener, Troy. I like having you around to talk to, even if we speak so seriously sometimes."

"It is not very often I speak otherwise, to be honest." Troy swirls his wine a little, watching it lap around the edges of the crystal glass. "But thank you for the compliment, you are a good conversationalist." He smirks, tilting the glass to daintly knock into Percival's before he leans back into his chair, taking a sip. "You remind me of a man I knew in Kooluk, although he was a bit more....of a serious nature." He smiles to himself, wondering if Helmut made it back to their time or if he was still here, sailing.

"I don't know, I've seen you around Sir Hervey - that rarely looks serious to me," Percival noted. He smiled gently at the tap of the glass and the subsequent remark. "Is that so? I hope he was a decent fellow, at least."

Troy, unexpectedly, laughs. "I suppose that is true....although I must admit, I have never met a person quite so....exhuberant as that pirate." He takes a sip of his wine, nodding, "Yes, Helmut was a great captain and a good friend."

"Exhuberant...that's a good word for it," Percival chuckled. "He certainly keeps things interesting around here. Ah, but if my own best pal Borus were here, well...we'd probably be the ones making trouble." Nodding, he added, "Then, I'll take it as a compliment, as I don't know this friend of yours."

"He was a good man of solid convictions." Troy raised his eyes to Percival's, curious. "Your friend, is he also one of the Zexen knights?"

Percival nodded, and for some reason his cheeks flushed at that direct gaze. Too much wine, he figured. "Yes, Sir Borus Redrum - a fellow Mighty Knight, I might add. As far as I know he's stationed at Brass Castle at the moment, or possibly further south."

Troy nodded, "Brass Castle is not very far away, do you get to visit with him?"

"I haven't...not lately. I suppose I shall have to see what opportunities the holidays bring," Percival replied. "If all goes well, I could tear myself away from Budehuc for a few days, I suppose." He chanced a grin. "I'll have to do some shopping for gifts, too."

"Gifts?" It takes Troy a moment to remember what holiday is coming up. "Ah, yes, gifts. I hope that you are able to see your friend Borus...although I do admit, I am curious as to this trouble you claim you may cause with him."

Percival was back to chuckling already. "Oh, I think Budehuc could do without our antics. We may not be quite as rambunctious as Sir Hervey, but I'm sure we would try. Thank you for the sentiment, though. I will probably try to meet up with him."

"Did the two of you train together?" Troy settled his shoulders moreso into the back of his chair, crossing his ankles and generally looking rather at peace, balancing his glass of wine on the arm of the chair.

Conversely, Percival was sitting forward with his arms folded on the table. "Yes, we did. We forged our friendship very early on, and have always looked out for one another. Being stationed at separate ends of the border is nothing new, but at times, I do grow to miss his company." He smirked. "There aren't many I can get a rise out of like him."

"I imagine so." Troy took another sip, the taste of the wine still sweet and rich even after the delicious meal. "He is quick tempered?"

The simplicity of the statement made Percival snort. "There is a reason he's nicknamed 'the Swordsman of Rage,' and it has nothing to do with runes."

Troy can't help but laugh, Percival's reaction bringing out the goodnatured response. He could clearly envision Percival teasing this poor man. "He sounds like quite the character. I imagine that you could tell some stories about your time training to be knights." Yes, he is fishing.

Percival smiled proudly at being able to get Troy to laugh so much. "Well, yes, I suppose I could," he began coyly, picking up his glass and swirling it around. "We had a habit of getting each other out of scrapes. Invariably, one's mouth would start it, and it took both of us to finish it."

"Ah, I see. It would have helped that you both were excellent fighters, I assume?" Troy felt relaxed, from the good wine, excellent food, and good company...not to mention that things had been quiet recently, which put Troy in a good mood.

"We sure thought we were," Percival giggled. Wine didn't go to his head quite like rum, but he was also quite relaxed. "That, and many of those who antagonized us in our youth were skinny noblemen's sons with more lip than common sense."

Troy smiled, having had to deal with men such as those, although thankfully, not too many. Kooluk brought up their children to fight, and those that could not were often kept to the sidelines. "That does help."

Percival raised an eyebrow. "I take it you've seen similar action in your day?"

"There are always those that are more talk than they have the ability to back up." Troy shrugs, not meaning to sound rude, "Thankfully I did not have to deal with many," He smiles slightly, ruefully. "The politicians were bad enough."

"Ohh...yes, I would have to agree with you there," the knight snickered. "Life is complicated enough without politicians and their ilk. While I enjoy my status, that's one of the things I could really do without."

Troy sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yes....the politics in Kooluk were always cut throat, that is one thing I am happy to be rid of." He appraises Percival from accross the table. "Your position requires a bit of political manuvering?"

"Cutthroat politics? I see." Percival mulled that over before continuing. "It is a consequence of the knights being a separate branch from the Guild Council. What they may see as legitimate use of force is not always so, but they try to do it anyway."

"Yes....sometimes literally." Troy sipped his wine casually, watching Percival speak over the top of his glass. "I see....if you wouldn't mind, I would like to hear more of this. How does the Zexen government seperate? Into factions?"

Percival made a face to show that he understood completely. "Zexen is governed by a Council made up of the heads of the Trade Guilds," he explained, his voice colored with his distaste for those people. "Since a merchant founded our nation almost sixty years ago, that's how it's been. The Knights are a separate military arm, though most of the time, if the Council delivers orders to our Captain, we obey."

"But it is not always so?"

"No, not always." Percival glanced sideways, as if toward the window and the castle grounds beyond. "We have been known to refuse when we had to. At least, when we could do so without it looking like pure treason."

Troy nodded, seeing the problem. If the knights refused something in public light, it would make them appear to be betraying the nation, not only the council if they were able to spin it that way, putting the knights in a dangerous position. "A thin line to walk."

Percival mirrored his nod. "Particularly with a greedy bunch of merchants running the show. They know all the dirtiest tricks."

That brought a grin to the sea captain's face. "They do indeed."

The knight's dark eyes narrowed. "By that look, I take it you have some expertise on the matter?"

Troy didn't answer immediately, instead looking into his wine glass, again swirling the liquid inside idly. "Let us just say that....the last business I had with a merchant was...." He pauses, looking into the now still glass, "..career ending."

It took a minute for Percival to search his memory for all that he actually knew about Troy's circumstances, and when he put it all together, his eyes widened a little. "Ah...oh. Er, I'm sorry. That's what I get for fishing for a juicy story."

Troy raised his eyes, almost smiling at the look on his companion's face, and shakes his head. "Don't apologize. Whether it was Cray's doing or not, I would have followed the same course." He sighed, letting his arm drop to the arm rest, wine glass swaying gently between his fingers over the edge. "If I had known more, understood the situation better, perhaps things would be different, and perhaps I would have confronted Cray as my instincts told me to do." His eyes were dark, they both knew what 'confront' lethally meant. "But then...I would never have known the whole truth about what held him in thrall, and thus never let the Island Nations have a chance to be what they are now." He shrugs, realizing how much he has been talking and stop abruptly, not wanting to speak ill of a man he did not hold anything against anymore.

Percival held his gaze, his mouth slightly slack in wonder. His glass sat untended on the table by his arm. "It is rare that we get the chance to ask 'what if,'" he reasoned. "Rarer still that you should get a second chance at life to even reflect on any of this."

"That is indeed very true, Percival." Troy sighed, "Very true."

Trying to pick the mood back up, Percival smiled again. "I, for one, am quite glad that you have. I would never have gotten to meet you, otherwise."

Troy smiled, rather glad he survived as well. He sat up, straightening out his shoulders, shaking off his reflections. "I am glad for the second chance." And even though it made him pause internally at saying it, at being open, it was the honest truth; he was glad that he was alive, even though he had thought his place was to die along with Kooluk for many years.

Something about the expression on Troy's face made Percival beam cheerfully. "Then, to life," he toasted, raising what was left of the wine in his glass. "May we live it to the fullest."

The sea captain tinged his glass gently off of Percival's, drinking the last of the wine inside of it down easily. "To life."